Wakefield beat Hull KR 14-12 in their Super League clash
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 21/02/16 6:10pm
Wakefield ensured history did not repeat itself as they claimed their first win of the season with a 14-12 victory at Hull KR on Sunday.
The Wildcats were the opponents when Rovers made a winning start to Super League in 2007 courtesy of a 14-9 success.
Rovers marked their 10th season in the top flight by reducing ticket prices to create an atmosphere similar to that night, but it was another day to forget for the Robins.
With both sides looking for their first win of 2016, it was the Wildcats who claimed the two points in a very scrappy affair.
Kieran Dixon opened the scoring for Rovers with a sixth-minute try following good work from Maurice Blair and Iain Thornley. Wakefield were left exposed on their right-hand side as Dixon strolled through to score. Dixon missed the touchline conversion but Rovers had their first lead of the season, 4-0.
Their advantage, however, lasted only three minutes as Wakefield responded with a Mickael Simon try, the French prop ducking his head down and using power to get him over the line. Liam Finn's conversion gave the visitors a 6-4 lead with nine minutes on the clock.
It was a game both sides had targeted for the win and it was Wakefield who edged further ahead in the 24th minute when Stuart Howarth punished Rovers for slack defending to score with ease. Finn made the conversion look easy, despite a swirling wind making kicking difficult.
Trailing 12-4, Rovers raised their intensity in attack and were rewarded when Adam Walker went over from close range in the 36th minute. Rovers, who missed both their conversion attempts at Warrington a week earlier, wasted their second opportunity for extras through Dixon to leave the Robins 12-8 behind on the scoreboard.
Both sides were guilty of squandering several chances to add to the score due to poor decisions on final plays, when sets got that far.
It took until the 55th minute before another score was added and that came from the boot of Finn from a penalty to take the Wildcats to a 14-8 lead.
Ken Sio drew the home side to within two points of Wakefield thanks to Albert Kelly's pass. Debutant Ryan Shaw was given the goal-kicking duties but he made it five misses out of five in the last two games for Chris Chester's side.
Wakefield, protecting a slender 14-12 lead, used Finn's game management to run the clock down.
With two vital points at stake so early in the season, this was never going to be a classic - but that will not bother Wakefield as they got their season up and running.
Watch Hull KR in Super League action on Friday at home to St Helens, live on Sky Sports 2 HD from 7.30pm.
