Hull KR 26-22 Halifax: Rovers fightback downs spirited Halifax
Last Updated: 12/08/17 12:10pm
Hull KR overcame a major scare to edge Halifax 26-22 in a thrilling Super 8s Qualifiers opener at KCOM Craven Park.
In-form Halifax secured their place in the Qualifiers by beating Championship leaders Hull KR on the final day of the regular season and Ben Heaton's four tries left them on course for another stunning victory.
But Rovers dug deep to overturn a 22-14 deficit with 20 minutes remaining and make a winning start in their bid for an immediate return to Super League.
There was no sign of the drama to come when full-back Kieren Moss crossed twice in the opening seven minutes and Matty Marsh cancelled out Heaton's 10th-minute try to give Rovers a 14-6 lead.
But Heaton completed his hat-trick before the half-hour mark and then went over again in the early stages of the second half to leave Hull KR chasing the match.
George Lawler's converted try made it a two-point game heading into the closing stages and Nick Scruton touched down six minutes from time to deny Fax a famous win.
Rovers got off to a flying start, scoring after just 43 seconds, when Kieren Moss danced through to score and continued their early dominance on six minutes when their lead was doubled by Moss' second of the afternoon. Jamie Ellis unable to convert either score.
The visitors were sparked into a response and got up and running on the scoreboard through the first of Heaton's contributions, converted by Steve Tyrer.
Matty Marsh marked his first Rovers' start since last season's Million Pound game with a try on 17 minutes to take the score to 14-6 in the hosts favour.
However, it was Halifax who went into the break in front, Heaton grabbing a further two to complete his hat-trick exploiting KR down the left wing.
Heaton grabbed his fourth of the afternoon on 51 minutes when he pounced on a Scott Murrell grubber through, Tyrer adding the conversion to take the score to 22-14.
Rovers and Lawler were denied a try on the hour mark but the loose forward got his name on the scoresheet just two minutes later when he crashed over from short range, Ellis' conversion cutting the gap to just two.
As the game approached its climax, Rovers dominated their opponents and regained the lead after a passage of continued pressure with just seven minutes remaining, Nick Scrutton crashing over under the posts to ensure a winning start as they look to regain Super League status.
