Robins run out of time

Danny Brough's kicking proved decisive as Wakefield Wildcats held on to beat Hull Kingston Rovers 22-20 on Sunday afternoon.

The scrum-half slotted five goals and created a crucial penalty try just before the break as the Wildcats arrested a run of three straight defeats.

Ryan Atkins' (16, 64) brace cancelled out Rovers' four-pointers from Scott Murrell (28), Michael Vella (50) and Jake Webster (61) and took John Kear's side to a much needed victory.

For Justin Morgan's side it was a second defeat of the season and despite their revival in the second-half the Robins now sit level with the Wildcats, on four points, in the early Super League standings.

Controversy

Rovers made a sluggish start to the game and went behind early through Brough's fifth-minute penalty before Atkins went over for the game's first try.

Oliver Wilkes provided the superb one-handed pass for the opener and Brough then punted the touchline conversion to put the Wildcats firmly in control.

Rovers' Daniel Fitzhenry got the visitors back into the match though, taking the ball off debutant Chaz I'Anson just shy of the half hour mark and kicking down the line past Sean Gleeson, where he collected the ball and fed the supporting Murrell who cantered in before adding the goal.

Brough added another penalty though and he then created the first penalty try of the season, chipping into the in-goal area for Fitzhenry to concede following his collision with Sam Obst.

Brough added the extras before Murrell kicked a penalty on the stroke of half-time and Wakefield went into the interval 16-8 up.

Conclusion

But Mick Vella plundered his way over for a 50th-minute try as the Robins fought their way back into the game after the restart. Jake Webster added the goal and the lead was reduced to just two points.

Webster went over for his fifth try of the season on the hour mark, which was converted by Murrell, but Ben Galea then coughed up possession just three minutes later.

Brough capitalised and sent Atkins in for his second try of the afternoon and he again added the extras as Wakefield moved two points ahead.

Despite their best efforts Rovers were unable to provide a sting in the tail and a last-ditch dive to the line from Shaun Briscoe was the closest they came.