Hull KR 50 Sheffield Eagles 10

Sheffield Eagles slipped to their third consecutive defeat after a second half collapse gave Hull KR a 50-10 victory at Craven Park.
Hull KR v Eagles action. Photo: Simon HallHull KR v Eagles action. Photo: Simon Hall
Hull KR v Eagles action. Photo: Simon Hall

Eagles were the better side for much of the first half but paid a heavy price for tries conceded just before and after the interval, as Rovers maintained their unbeaten start.

Mark Aston gave Huddersfield loanee Liam Johnson a debut, whilst Ryan Millar moved to full-back to allow Dane Chisholm to start alongside Lewis Foster in the halves.

Sheffield Eagles' first try scorer Duane Straugheir. Picture: Andrew RoeSheffield Eagles' first try scorer Duane Straugheir. Picture: Andrew Roe
Sheffield Eagles' first try scorer Duane Straugheir. Picture: Andrew Roe
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The hosts made the early running with James Donaldson scoring the first try from close range and Jamie Ellis converted.

But Aston’s side dug inand after Garry Lo was held up by a combination of Adam Quinlan and Andrew Heffernan, Eagles finally got the try they deserved on 27 minutes. Foster found Duane Straugheir who showed great strength to muscle his way over the line and Chisholm added the extras.

A brilliant individual try from Lo saw the PNG winger sidestep Quinlan, before showing the Rovers defence a clean pair of heels to score in the corner. Chisholm failed with a tricky conversion.

Matty Fozard could have increased the lead but lost the ball going for the line.

Sheffield Eagles' first try scorer Duane Straugheir. Picture: Andrew RoeSheffield Eagles' first try scorer Duane Straugheir. Picture: Andrew Roe
Sheffield Eagles' first try scorer Duane Straugheir. Picture: Andrew Roe
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The Robins finished the half strongly with converted tries by Ben Cockayne and Heffernan to move eight points clear.

Just before the break Eagles lost Menzie Yere as he saw yellow for a dangerous challenge, which would prove to be the turning point in the game.

Rovers took advantage of the extra man with Thomas Minns scoringp, despite question marks over the grounding. Ellis converted.

The home side’s weight of possession finally paid off as Quinlan crossed the whitewash, with Ellis again converting.

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Eagles faced an onslaught as Chris Clarkson’s converted score, their third try in 12 minutes.

The Robins further increased their lead with converted tries for Jordan Abdull and a second from Donaldson.

Rovers hit the 50 point mark when Ellis slotted a penalty in front of the posts.

Hull KR: Quinlan; Cockayne, Minns, Heffernan, Shaw; Abdull, Ellis; Scruton, Lunt, Kavanagh; Blair, Greenwood; Donaldson. Interchange: Clarkson, Mulhern, Horne, Salter.

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Scorers: Tries: Donaldson (18, 70) Cockayne (36), Heffernan (38), Minns (42), Quinlan (48), Clarkson (54), Abdull (64) Goals: Ellis 9/9

Eagles: Millar; Lo, Yere, Johnson, Harper; Foster, Chisholm; Wheeldon, Fozard, James; Scott, Straugheir; Minchella. Interchange: Burns, Whiteley, Hope, Trout.

Scorers: Tries: Straugheir (27) Lo (30) Goals: Chisholm 1/2

Referee: Callum Straw