Hull KR 32-10 Wakefield: Robins make it six wins on the bounce
Hull KR climbed up to fourth place in Super League with a 32-10 win over Wakefield at Craven Park.
Despite the news earlier this week that 2022 would be Tony Smith’s last with the club, Hull KR put in a fine performance in front of a home crowd.
Rovers led 16-0 at half-time and winger Ethan Ryan scored two tries in six minutes early in the second half to ensure a sixth successive win in all competitions that keeps them well in the hunt for both major trophies.
Already 80 minutes away from a place in the 2022 Challenge Cup final, Smith’s men ran in seven tries to two to secure a sixth league win of the season which lifted them four places on the ladder.
It also condemned Wakefield to a third consecutive defeat.
Influential Lachlan Coote
Lachlan Coote was again hugely influential on his return to the side and was also among the tries. Back-rower Kane Linnett also made a big impact on his return with a brace of touchdowns.
Coote sparked the opening score with a clean break that sent Linnett over for his first try. He then got on the end of winger Ryan Hall’s inside pass for their second.
He also converted both to give his side a 12-0 lead which illustrated the Robins’ domination of the opening quarter.
Wakefield could not match their hosts’ creativity but did enough to put their defence under pressure without being able to apply the finishing touch.
Right winger Lewis Murphy had a try disallowed for a forward pass. Substitute bac-rower Jordan Crowther was denied by Coote and left winger Tom Johnstone was close to touching down Jacob Miller’s grubber kick.
In contrast, Rovers were clinical, with skipper Shaun Kenny-Dowall proving unstoppable from 10 metres out after a run from scrum-half Jordan Abdull had created the attacking position.
More of the same in the second half
It was much the same in the second half. Rovers displayed quick hands for Ryan to take the final pass from Ben Crooks and score his first try since August.
The former Bradford winger doubled his tally six minutes later, dribbling the ball ahead and getting the touchdown, after Coote had again provided the final pass.
Coote could not convert either of Ryan’s tries but Rovers were comfortably placed at 24-0 before Miller pulled a try back for Trinity, which was goaled by his half-back partner Mason Lino.
Lino then provided a long, looping pass which got Murphy over for the visitors’ second try but Rovers quickly re-asserted their authority with two further tries in four minutes through Hall – his seventh in five games – and Linnett.
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