Rhinos roar past Rovers

Leeds Rhinos forged a spirited second half fightback to defeat Hull KR 24-14 and move level on points with St Helens at the top of the Super League table.

The home side were trailing 14-6 with 24 minutes remaining but ever-reliable Jamie Peacock crossed to inspire a late revival from the defending champions.

A fightback was required after first half tries from Kris Welham and Ben Cockayne had triggered thoughts of a shock Rovers triumph at Headingley.

But after Peacock had edged Leeds close, Danny Buderus and Lee Smith, who also kicked four goals, crossed in the later stages to secure another two points for the Rhinos.

Leeds made the perfect start on three minutes in difficult conditions at Headingley when Brent Webb expertly latched onto Danny McGuire's kick to score under the posts.

And Smith, assuming kicking duties in place of Kevin Sinfield (dead leg), added the extras, but any thoughts of a comfortable evening's work were soon dispelled.

Swift response

With both sides struggling with their handling in the drenched conditions it was not until the 23rd minute that a rare piece of quality lit up the match when Paul Cooke's kick set up Welham, who finished with aplomb.

And it was Rovers who made sure they headed into the interval ahead - Scott Murrell neatly kicking through for Cockayne, who managed to get around a stationary Luke Burgess to score.

Michael Dobson's second conversion of the evening ensured the visitors walked to the changing rooms 12-6 ahead.

A high tackle by Keither Senior shortly after the re-start resulted in Dobson increasing the gap to eight points, but a swift response from the reigning champions kept Rhinos in the hunt.

With 56 minutes on the clock, stand-in skipper Peacock showed his worth when he raced onto a McGuire offload and Wasps-bound Smith converted from in front of the posts.

The Rhinos continued to pile on the pressure and it eventually paid off with six minutes remaining when Buderus spun through a tackle to score from close range.

Smith then killed off the Rovers resistance when he scooped up a loose ball to race the length of the field to score.