Hull Kr was again encountered from 14-6 down, scoring three attempts in the last 14 minutes to record a 20-14 win in Leeds in a bruising competition that saw both sides end up with 12 players.
When Sauaso Sue was fired and Lachlan Miller converted the penalty that resulted shortly before the hour, the early leaders of the Betfred Super League were watching at a second season loss in nine games.
But after ASH Handley was made with red cards, the second score of James Broadbent’s match and tries by James Batchelor and Mikey Lewis provided a difficult victory for Robins in Amt Headingley Stadium.
It was the sixth of the Rovers’ in a row over Leeds and ensured that Willie Peter’s team boasts a four-point lead at the top of the second-place Wigan Table can shorten the deficit back into two by beating Hull FC on Sunday.
Leeds remained sixth after undergoing a fourth campaign loss after recording the back-back win to fight Salford and Huddersfield, and may have the feeling that they allow it to slip through their fingers.
Jack Sinfield, the son of Leeds Great Kevin, was a surprise starter, but the first major involvement of half the scrum in the game saw that sent to the sin of sin for a high solution in Full Arthur Mourgue.
Leeds were sitting at 11 – after Jake Connor briefly left the field with a suspected displaced finger – when Broadbent passed the corner in the 10th minute after passing through the left after Lewis’s initial break.
Sue was held in line, but, with a full complement, Leeds flattened after 23 minutes while the Bullet Pass Miller captured Hull off-rod and Handley won the race in the left corner by Connor’s Grubber.
Miller and Mourgue traded two-point penalty to make it 6-6 in half after Lewis rubbed an attempt to go the point, widely dragging from 30 meters out.
A top ball in the line from Lewis put the leeds under pressure, but the defense turned into attack as Connor’s load from depth within half, allowed Handley to explode for free and he twice exchanged passing with Riley Lumb, who touched down to the left corner.
Roves’ hopes were taken with a stroke when Sue red saw it entered and grabbed the head of friend Samoan Sam Lisone, who was on his way under the pressure of Elliot Minchella.
Miller’s second sentence gave Leeds an eight -point lead, but visitors gathered and after Jai Whitbread had a test for a knock, then the attacker then exploded through a gap on the Leeds line and withdrew from Broadbent to cross again.
The sides were equalized when Handley was rejected for a late shoulder challenge in the head in Mourgue and from the other sixth group, Peta Hiku set up Batchelor to move to the right corner.
Mourgue lost a third consecutive conversion, making it 14-14 to set a big final. Lewis had the last word after 75 minutes, detaching to the left from the Broadbent crossing before sprinting for the line, with Mourgue adding additions.
Head of coach Hull Kr Willie Peters told Heavenly: “I thought the second half was hard, really tough.
“I was happy with the way the spine was connected, we went down to 12 men and thought we attacked better. They had a plan of what they wanted to do and they executed it.
“We got them at the end that was nice, but we knew it would be a difficult game.
“I know they are a difficult team, she showed that. I think we are a team that never give up. There was a phase where I thought we would lose, to be honest, when we were eight points behind, but it was just a matter of fighting and seeing where he took us.”
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Watch the moment Mikey Lewis sealed the victory for Hull Kr in the Super League match against Leeds Rhinos
‘It’s nonsense!’ – Were the two correct red cards?
Sauaso’s red card in the 58th minute
The head of the coach of Hull Kr, Willie Peter, talking about Sky Sports:
“It’s not a sending. It’s not a sending at all. Onhe one of those things, I don’t know what he can do there. He lowered his levels and, unfortunately, it’s a contact sport and he made contact with the head, but it is not a red card in my eyes.”
Sky Sports’ Jon Wilkin:
“I agree with Willie Peter – what can Sue do?
“And this is the problem in the game in the minute, we have people making decisions and calling for what has no practical meaning of that situation. One hundred and 20 pounds by taking a break and kneeling, where are you meant to go?
“He hits him in his head. We are all tied – that’s a penalty. It can be a yellow card too, but there is never any chance, never in my time in the game that is a red card.
“You can use all the terminology you want; you can call what you want, softening, whatever. This is accidental contact with a falling player’s head. We admit it’s a penalty, admit it’s a yellow card, not a red. Get on it, it’s pointless!”
Sauaso Sue sent to Hull Kr in Leeds Rhinos
Ash Handley’s red card in the 72nd minute
Leeds Rhino coach Brad Arthur talking about Sky Sports:
“I thought a basket of sin would have been suitable for both.”
Sky Sport I Jon Wilkin:
“It’s a yellow card or a penalty. If this is a red cardboard, then Jack Sinfield is sent after two minutes. I think it’s a misunderstanding. That’s clumsy, it’s not reckless, it’s not powerful.
“It’s a bad look, they were wrong last night and tonight.”
Round 9 matches and results
Thursday April 24: Warrington 32-18 St Helens
Free April 25: Leeds 14-20 hull kr
Sat April 26: Huddersfield VS Castleford – 3 Afternoon
Sat April 26: Salford vs leigh – 5.30 afternoon – specially Live in Sky Sports
Sat April 26: VS Wakefield Catalans – 5.30 Afternoon
Sun 27 April: Hull FC Vs Wigan – 3 Afternoon
Heavenly It will show again any game of the Super League Live this season – including two games in each round exclusively live, with the four games remaining each week on Sky Sports+ through the Red button.
