Star Sport
Saints leave it late to snatch a draw at Hull KR
5:10pm Sunday 19th February 2012
SAINTS snatched a last second draw at Craven Park needing a Jamie Foster penalty to grab a share of the spoils after the final hooter.
Foster had earlier missed three conversion attempts with Saints behind on the scoreboard despite outscoring the hosts seven tries to six.
Saints will not be happy with the performance, though, particularly their inability to cope with any form of pressure on their line.
Saints appeared to find it too easy in chalking up three unanswered tries in the first 14 minutes.
But that 14-0 lead soon became a 18-14 deficit, with both sides then swapping scores to send Rovers in contented at the break.
Saints were quick off the mark when Sia Soliola crashed through from close range on six minutes after a good initial run from Anthony Laffranchi.
Foster missed the goal.
But Saints were soon back for more when after a burst down the left, in which Foster did well to keep in play, the ball was shifted back right where Michael Shenton capped his return to action by polishing off a fine piece of play.
Foster again missed the goal – this one hitting the upright.
Saints had the bit between their teeth, with Soliola putting himself about in attack and defence.
On 14 minutes, Saints crossed again when James Roby picked up from dummy half and scampered home from 15 metres, Foster goaling.
It was all going perfectly, with Saints really into a good groove of football and then Chris Flannery had the ball dislodged in the tackle and the momentum changed.
Rovers pressed and at the end of the set Scott Murrell slid the ball through for David Hodgson to race on to. Craig Hall goaled from out wide and then slotted the next one after Con Mike rampaged over from close range.
Rovers took the lead for the first time when Shannon McDonnell won the race to a kick from half way line to just about touch down.
But back Saints came, with a clever pass from Lance Hohaia sending Chris Flannery into a hole without a finger being laid on him. Foster goaled to make it 20-18.
But six minutes before the break, another wicked grubber was chased by Josh Hodgson to give the Robins the lead at the break.
Saints were quick out of the traps again in the second half, and after two repeat sets they scored on 45 minutes when Meli sliced through on the left, but Foster again missed.
Saints went back in front again though after some fine work from Hohaia. A good run from Andrew Dixon and then Roby got the ball out of the tackle for Hohaia to send Wellens charging over. This time Foster goaled.
Saints needed a good solid set to close the Rovers out, instead Soliola lost the ball after the tackle on his own 30m mark.
The Robins pressed and the inevitable score came when the powerful Mika crashed through leaving Wellens powerless to halt him so close to the line. Hall’s goal made it all square again.
Rovers nudged back ahead on 64 minutes, when from another penalty, they pressed against a frail looking Saints line.
The try seemed inevitable and it came when Kris Welham took a short pass out of the tackle to cross. Hall continued his perfect afternoon with the boot.
Wellens went close, after a fine attacking move up the left involving Meli, but the Saints skipper lost the ball on the line under the weight of the tackle.
But after Shenton had scrambled on to a loose ball after the tackle, Saints had another crack with it finishing off with Meli cruising over.
Foster missed the conversion from out wide – but made amends right at the death despite the hollering from the home fans .
Hull KR: Shannon McDonnell; Craig Hall, Kris Welham, Jake Webster, David Hodgson; Rhys Lovegrove, Scott Murrell; Joel Clinton, Lincoln Withers, Mickey Paea, Con Mika, Graeme Horne, Liam Watts. Subs: Scott Wheeldon, Scott Taylor, Josh Hodgson, Jordan Cox.
Saints: Paul Wellens; Ade Gardner, Michael Shenton, Francis Meli, Jamie Foster; Lance Hohaia, Jonny Lomax; Anthony Laffranchi, James Roby, Tony Puletua, Chris Flannery, Sia Soliola, Jon Wilkin. Subs: Josh Perry, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Andrew Dixon, Gary Wheeler.
