Reserves, Sewell Group Craven Park, Saturday 1 June (3pm)
Hull KR 34-14 Leigh Leopards
Leopards Reserves put in a brave effort in the curtain raiser at Craven Park before Rovers dominated the last half-hour to seal the game with 22 unanswered points.
Stuart Littler’s side came back well from conceding two early tries to take a 14-12 lead early in the second half with left winger Alfie Whittle scoring two tries and skipper Lewis Fairhurst kicking three goals.
But in a fast flowing and entertaining game, despite the award of 23 penalties, Rovers put together some vibrant attacking play to score four second half tries.
Played throughout to the backdrop of loud music from the Craven Street end of the ground, the game began with Rovers in rampant form, with two quick-fire converted tries down the left.
But Leopards clawed their way back into the game and for the best part of the next 40 minutes were the better side.
Ben Tyrer and Fairhurst created Whittle’s first try on the left before Fairhurst, who joins the attacking line so cleverly, again came up with the assist for Whittle’s second after a well-timed long pass.
Whittle came so close to a first half hat-trick, just failing to ground Tyrer’s kick to the corner, then crowded out by the flag.
Just before the half-time whistle could just be heard above the din Fairhurst levelled the scores at 12-12 with a penalty goal.
Eight minutes after the re-start the Leopards hit the front as Fairhurst kicked his second penalty from 20 metres out.
The visitors were good value for that hard earned lead but that was as good as it got for the Leopards.
Leopards Reserves are next in action on Saturday 15 June when Bradford Bulls Reserves are the visitors to Leigh Miners Rangers Academy at Sutton Park (2pm).
Leopards:
1 Lewis Fairhurst (capt); 5 Liam Copland, 3 Kieran Cooke, 4 Jack Darbyshire 2 Alfie Whittle; 6 Ben Tyrer, 7 Matthew Horrocks; 8 Luke Sutcliffe, 9 Tommy Porter, 10 Ryan Lockett, 12 Callum Disley, 11 Ralph Wood, 13 Valu Tane Bentley
Bench: 17 Daniel Tabern, 18 Harry Ashworth, 15 Samuel Bardsley, 14 TJ Boyd.
18th player: 16 Reece Stanton (not used)
Tries: Whittle (16,23)
Goals: Fairhurst 3/ 5
Scoring sequence: 6-0, 12-0. 12-6, 12-10, 12-12 (ht), 12-14, 18-14, 24-14, 28-14, 34-14.
