Round 5: Hull KR vs Leeds Rhinos

Hull KR v Leeds Rhinos
Saturday 10th March, kick-off 6pm

http://forums.rleague.com/images/avatars/uk/hullkr.gif V http://forums.rleague.com/images/avatars/uk/leeds.gif

Hull KR 20-man squad: Goddard, J. Netherton, Ford, Fisher, Morton, Ward, Tangata-Toa, Aizue, Morrison, Dyer, Chester, Gene, Smith, Gannon, Vella, Murrell, ****ayne, Gallagher, Bauer, Webster.

Leeds Rhinos 20-man squad: Webb, Donald, Toopi, Senior, Smith, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Diskin, Pea****, Jones-Buchanan, Ellis, Sinfield, Lauitiiti, Thackray, Bailey, Kirke, Gibson, Ablett, Tansey.

Referee: R Silverwood

***Use this thread for game day spoilers and general match information***

Hull KR 22-20 Leeds

Gareth Morton tries to go on a forward charge for Hull KR
Hull KR: (8) 22
Tries: Webster, Dyer, Bauer
Goals: Morton 5

Leeds: (10) 20
Tries: Gibson 3, Smith
Goals: Sinfield 2

Hull KR continued their superb start to their first Super League season moving to the top of the table after a hard-fought victory over Leeds.

Leeds led 10-8 at the interval after tries from Lee Smith and Ashley Gibson with James Webster responding.

But Hull KR made a strong start to the second half with Luke Dyer and Andreas Bauer extending their advantage.

Gibson scored two more tries to complete his hat-trick but Hull KR's defence held firm for the win.

Although Morton got the home side on the scoreboard first with a penalty, Leeds dominated the opening quarter.

Gibson put the Rhinos ahead, scoring in the corner after good work from Danny McGuire, with Kevin Sinfield slotting a superb touchline goal.

Webster got Hull KR back in the game, collecting his own chip kick to ground the ball ahead of Brent Webb.

Late in the half, Smith's try gave Leeds the advantage once again although Danny McGuire's pass in the build-up appeared to be forward.

But the second half belonged to Rovers with Dyer getting to the ball before Webb for his third try in three games and Morton added the extras.

Webb was not enjoying the best of fortunes and his next error led to another try for the home side.

The Kiwi star made a mess of Scott Murrell's kick ahead and, after conceding a penalty in the subsequent set, Morton slotted over his fourth goal.

Byron Ford then knocked James Webster's kick into the path of Bauer who scored on his debut and Morton again added the extras.

Leeds seemed shell-shocked and although Gibson posted a second try after Ford's knock on allowed Leeds good field position, Sinfield missed with the converstion.

Jamie Pea**** was denied a try by the video referee and although Gibson completed his hat-trick in the last minute, Rovers were able to see out the game.
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Hull KR coach Justin Morgan
"We had some adversity thrown at us today but I'm very proud and very pleased with the game.

"We handled it though and that's character. The players kept their heads against a very aggressive team.

"Our composure is a lot better too and we're getting used to the speed of the ruck. Our kicking game is a lot better and so is our defence."

Leeds coach Tony Smith
"I thought we had a good first half although we probably needed to take our chances earlier.

"They were contrasting halves. In the second half we were behind the eight ball. I thought the opposition really lifted and played a bit of footy.

"In the third quarter they really asked some questions of us, and in the first half they ground it out with some no-mistake rugby league. They kicked us to death in the end."
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Hull KR: ****ayne, Dyer, Morton, Bauer, Ford, Murrell, Webster, Aizue, Fisher, Vella, J. Netherton, Chester, Gene.
Replacements: Tangata-Toa, Gannon, Gallagher, Morrison.

Leeds: Webb, Donald, Toopi, Gibson, Smith, McGuire, Burrow, Pea****, Diskin, Bailey, Ellis, Jones-Buchanan, Sinfield.
Replacements: Lauitiiti, Thackray, Leuluai, Tansey.

Referee: R Silverwood (Dewsbury)

Source: http://www.BBC.co.uk

Justin Morgan is an amazing coach. I'm stunned at what he can do with seemingly outclassed teams. Case in point KR and previously Toulouse.

I, along with the rest of the rugby league world are stunned with KR continued charge.

Morgan needs and NRL gig. Hell let him coach the Lions! :D

Cant believe it, what he has done is amazing. I hope they can keep it up for the season and earn a play off berth.