Outgoing Hull KR head coach Justin Morgan admitted that emotions were high on Saturday when he bade farewell to Craven Park.
Departing coach says Craven Park has been a huge part of his life
Outgoing Hull KR head coach Justin Morgan admitted that emotions were high on Saturday when he bade farewell to Craven Park.
Rovers gave Morgan a winning send-off by holding off a spirited Castleford to gain a nailbiting 26-24 victory in the last match of the regular Super League season.
The win lifted them above arch rivals Hull FC into seventh place and ensured a third consecutive appearance in the play-offs, away to Leeds or Catalans next weekend.
Morgan is going home at the end of the season after six-and-a-half years at the helm and, along with seven of his players, appeared at Craven Park for the final time.
"I said to myself that I wasn't going to get emotional but a couple of times it got to me, the fact that it's my last time here as coach of Hull KR," he said.
"I've grown up here as a coach, it's a been a huge part of my life. It will be difficult next year but I know this club will go on to big things."
Winger Sam Latus scored two of the Robins' five tries and captain Michael Vella, one of the departing players, also touched down in front of his mother Joanne, who had flown in from Australia to watch his final home appearance.
But they were made to fight all the way by a Castleford side lacking 10 regulars through injury and suspension.
"It's a two-point ball game for two weeks in a row and I'm not sure my heart can take it any more," said Morgan.
Emotion
"There was a lot of emotion, with all the players that are leaving, and they probably settled in quicker than us.
"We were a bit lacklustre in the second half and made too many errors but this club has got soul and you can't buy that. Tonight's game epitomised the spirit and determination of this team and the club generally.
"We'll have to improve our execution for next week but I think we've shown over the last 10 weeks we're in play-off mode because we've had to win games.
"I'm pleased we got to send some of the boys who won't be here next year away from Craven Park as winners. We will be lot more relaxed next week no matter who we play."
Castleford's defeat signalled the end of their season and also brought the six-year coaching reign of Terry Matterson to an end, but he was proud of the efforts of his patched-up side.
"I couldn't have lived with last week's performance," he said, referring to the Tigers' 50-12 home defeat by Hull.
"We lost Ryan McGoldrick on Tuesday, Nick Youngquest on Wednesday, Martin Aspinwall on Thursday and Richie Mathers this morning but credit to the guys.
"It was a wonderful performance and it deserved a win. We definitely feel hard done by. They just kept getting a leg up with some soft penalties in the last 10 minutes. They weren't all high shots.
"I'm really proud of the guys. I hate losing but I can handle that because they gave everything. How we did not win I don't know.
"Experience ended up winning that game but they will be better for the experience."
