Eagles give Robins a fright
Hull Kingston Rovers needed a last-minute try from Ben Fisher to wrap up a hard-fought victory over Sheffield in the Challenge Cup.
Last Updated: 10/05/09 5:15pm
Hull Kingston Rovers needed a last-minute try from Ben Fisher to wrap up a hard-fought victory over Sheffield in the fifth round of the Challenge Cup.
It was a spirited display from the Eagles, who dominated the match at times and had the Super League high-flyers defending their own line desperately on a number of occasions.
There was a return to the Robins' line-up for veteran Stanley Gene but they lost Liam Colbon in the warm-up and youngster Frankie Mariano was included on the bench for his first team debut.
The home side had a scare on three minutes when Brendon Lindsay's kick through only just went dead in goal.
But on six minutes a sweeping move ended with Jake Webster going over in the right hand corner. Michael Dobson's conversion hit both an upright and the crossbar before bouncing over.
It took the Eagles just six minutes to level when Menzie Yere powered his way over the line, Johnny Woodcock converting.
Rovers responded well and Dobson and Cooke sent in Gene for a 19th-minute try converted by Dobson. Three minutes later a Cooke kick bounced back from an upright to leave Fisher with the easiest of scores, Dobson again converting.
Advantage
Before the break they made it 22-6 with an unconverted try from Clint Newton.
Sheffield took full advantage when play resumed as Mariano knocked on from the kick-off and Sam Barlow crossed for a try converted by Woodcock.
At the other end Mariano looked to have atoned for his error by getting over the line but referee Thierry Alibert penalised him for a double movement.
On 59 minutes a Kyle Wood kick was gathered by Woodcock who scored and then added the conversion to make the score 22-18.
At that stage Rovers were wobbling, but just two minutes later they had restored the gap with a try from Shaun Briscoe, converted by Dobson.
Back came the Eagles as Wood burrowed over on 70 minutes with Woodcock converting.
That set up a tense finish but Fisher made sure of Rovers' quarter-final berth when he forced his way over in the last minute, with Dobson landing his fifth conversion out of six.
