Hull Kingston Rovers 18
Wakefield 31Th
By Dave Parkinson
Once again a televised Super League game was turned on its head after half-time. Last weekend Bradford hit back from a 20-0 deficit to beat Wigan 22-20, this week it was the turn of the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.
Six days ago, Wakefield were humbled 52-0 by Huddersfield on their own pitch and a similar result looked on the cards as Rovers impressively built an 18-6 half-time lead.
The Robins grabbed the first try of the game after three minutes when Michael Dobson cleverly worked the left for Kris Welham to split the defence and send Liam Colbon over for his 4th try in two games. Dobson converted before Shane Tronc and Danny Brough drew Trinity level. The big prop crossed from close range off the distribution of Sam Obst while Brough goaled.
The Wildcats forced a drop out thanks to a towering kick from Brough and Rovers managed to get Peter Fox sprinting upfield only for Aaron Murphy to chase back and tackle. As Rovers attacked Shaun Briscoe created an opportunity with a chip and chase but Brough put the ball dead. Two minutes after that, Rovers scored their second try when good passing down the line eventually saw Briscoe put Jake Webster in at the corner. Dobson couldn't convert but the hosts extended their advantage five minutes later when Scott Murrell saw his kick charged down by Obst and a fortunate riccochet saw Webster break and then hand inside for Murrell to finish.
At this point Rovers were looking good with Ben Fisher a threat from dummy half and Liam Watts looking to continue his development.
Wakefield opted for youth and brought Ben Gledhill and James Davey into action. This perked the visitors up and Murphy went on a long break from a scrum before he was chased down. A couple of minutes later Davey was prevented from scoring and Dale Ferguson was also held.
In the last inute of the first half Brough threw an intercept to Welham who sped away only to be chased down forty metres from the line. Referee James Child deemed a professional foul against Brough and sinbinned him which allowed Dobson the opportunity to add a penalty goal and send Rovers in at half-time with a comfortable 18-6 lead.
Whatever John Kear said to his charges at half-time, he could bottle it and make a fortune. The Wildcats were a different proposition in the second half and immediately set about dominating Rovers with only 12 men. Often in tht situation, teams look for inspiration and former Whitehaven halfback Obst provided it. First he kicked low after 43 minutes for Colbon to knock on, then a couple of minutes later his never-say-die attitude saw him beat seven men in an individual run to the line. He converted then turned creator again fter 47 minutes when a grubber kick seemed to confuse Briscoe and Matt Blaymire ran through to touch down ahead of the England fullback. Another Obst goal wiped out Rovers advantage while Brough returned with the scores locked at 18-18.
Despite a couple of errors, Wakefield were playing the better rugby and illustrated the fact after 61 minutes when a high kick from Brough saw former Canterbury Bulldogs centre Daryl Millard leap higher than Briscoe for him to ground. A Brough goal and Blaymire drop-goal made things difficult for Rovers although a big 40-20 from Dobson gave the hosts a big chance. Sadly for them, they blew it, with centre Webster being penalised for dissent.
The decisive try came eight minutes of the end via video referee Ben Thaler when despite numerous replays appearing to show Briscoe get underneath Shane Tronc, he was awarded a second try for Brough to convert again and make it 31-18.
Although further chances presented themselves neither side was able to take them and the Wildcats held out for their 4th win of the season.
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