Robins down the Giants
Huddersfield Giants hung on to fifth spot for the play-offs, despite defeat at Hull KR.
By Phil Jackson
Last Updated: 17/09/07 1:20pm
Huddersfield Giants hung on to fifth spot ahead of the Super League play-offs, despite slumping to a 25-24 defeat at Hull Kingston Rovers.
Paul Cooke's 75th minute drop goal secured the points for the Robins, but Jon Sharp's side still avoided the three-point defeat that would have seen them matched up with the Bradford Bulls first in the play-offs.
Michael Vella (18), Chris Chester (36) and Ben Fisher (63) scored the tries for Hull KR, who played with the freedom that safety in the top flight brings.
Paul Reilly (8, 27), Chris Nero (31) and Rod Jensen (56, 60) scored the tries for Huddersfield in what was a thrilling match at Craven Park.
Early exchanges
Reilly got the scoring underway, latching onto a long pass from Kevin Brown, but the home side struck back as prop-forward Vella evaded the attentions of Eorl Crabtree, Reilly and Keith Mason to reach the line.
Cooke kicked the conversion from under the sticks, and the Robins had a 6-4 lead.
Swift handling and a quick final pass from Nero sent Reilly in at the corner for his second try of the match soon after, but Chris Thorman again missed the conversion.
Centre Nero then went over for a converted try of his own, as the Giants took a 14-6 lead on the half hour mark.
But Cooke's slightly forward pass to Chester was not picked up by the officials, and the second-rower crashed over the line for his first try since June to take the Robins into half time trailing by just two.
Drama
Two tries from Jensen after the restart looked to have put the game beyond the home side, as Huddersfield took a 24-12 lead.
But Mark Lennon's break down the left lifted hopes and the atmosphere, with Fisher finishing off a good run from Rhys Lovegrove with 15 minutes remaining.
Giants skipper Thorman left the field with a left shoulder injury in that move, and Hull KR quickly levelled the scores in his absence.
Scottish international Fisher was again the scorer with a fantastic jinking run from dummy-half, although the tackling left a lot to be desired.
And Cooke kicked the decisive drop goal five minutes from time to secure Hull KR only their third home win of the season.
Sharp will want to see a big improvement from his team, with their play-off against Hull FC live on Sky Sports 3 from 7pm on Saturday.
