Hull KR survive scare to beat Leigh in Super League Qualifiers

Josh Mantellato scored six goals to help Hull KR avoid an upset against Leigh

Hull KR were forced to come from behind to beat Leigh 36-26 in the Super League Qualifiers and end the Championship winners' two-year unbeaten home record on Saturday.

The Centurions had won their previous 31 home games, and a stunning first-half threatened to make it 32 against a Rovers side preparing to face Leeds in the Challenge Cup final later this month. 

Leigh, who had already shocked Wakefield and Salford in the Challenge Cup this season, led 24-6 at the break, but five unanswered Hull KR tries after the break prevented them from earning another Super League scalp.

Rovers took the lead after nine minutes through Dane Chisholm, who raced the full length of the field to score his first try for the club. 

Mantellato added the conversion, before Leigh deservedly drew level after 18 minutes when Gareth Hock's clever off load in a tackle sent Ryan Brierley over for his 34th try of the season and Martyn Ridyard added the conversion. 

Brierley was again involved as Leigh went ahead, racing clear before his kick was collected by Greg McNally who duly darted under the posts to finish a superb try. 

The visitors lost Ben Cockayne with a facial cut before Leigh added a third try in eight minutes, with Andrew Dixon powering through the defence to extend their lead to 18-6.

The Centurions, finishing the half on the attack, went further ahead when the video referee ruled Tom Armstrong had scored in the corner, with Ridyard again tagging on the conversion.

But a shell-shocked Rovers came out fighting after the break and scored the early try they needed as Kieran Dixon received a pass from Graeme Horne before Mantellato landed the conversion.

McNally almost went over to restore Leigh’s advantage, but he was illegally held down by Kris Welham and the home side had to settle for a Ridyard penalty to make it 26-12.

As Leigh began to run out of steam, they lost Sam Hopkins to a leg injury, and Rovers took full advantage, reducing the deficit to 26-18 when Maurice Blair surged through Greg Worthington on the hour. 

Now with renewed hope, Hull KR began to pile on the pressure, and Tony Puletua reduced the arrears to just two points as he plunged through the cover from short range. 

And the inevitable comeback was completed by Lunt, who battled past several defenders to touch down with approval from the video referee.  

Mantellato added his fifth goal to make it 30-26, before Cockayne sealed the win with a late try after Liam Kay lost possession.

It was a cruel defeat for Leigh, but the Centurions will take encouragement from having once again demonstrated their strength against Super League opposition.