Junior Robins make it four wins from four as they defeat Saints 22-14

The Robins' U16s celebrate their win at St. Helens

Hull KR’s Scholars made it four wins from four as they defeated St. Helens U16s, 22-14 at the Totally Wicked Stadium earlier tonight.

The rain stopped as Rhys Williams kicked off for Hull KR. The game started with a bang as Robins’ second-rower, Henry Tully slammed Isaac Sams down in the first play of the game.

St. Helens had the early share of possession before an unforced error gave Hull KR the ball on the hosts’ ten. From the scrum, the Robins shifted the ball through hands though Cam Brigham to Henry Hope for the winger to power over for the opener. Williams’ conversion came out off the post and Hull KR lead 4-0.

St. Helens responded immediately with Tyler McGann bursting through a hole to level the score. Alfie Maden put over the conversion and Saints took a 6-4 lead.

An error close to their own line gave St. Helens another crack at the Robins’ line. On the last, the hosts put a bomb up to force an Hull KR error and Ollie Roby pounced to score. Saints’ lead 10-4.

The arm wrestle between the two sides continued until the Robins’ charged down a Saints’ kick on the last and Preston Pettman looked to be over but the half was stopped just short of the line.

As the sun set at Totally Wicked Stadium, the referee blew for half-time and the Robins’ trailed 10-4.

Now back out for the second half, Hull KR endured a shaky start with St. Helens’ Tyler McGann putting in a dangerous kick behind the Robins’ defence for Roby to collect and score the first try of the second half. Maden missed the two and Saints led 14-4.

Midway through the second half, the Robins began to gain momentum through Alfie Petty, Alfie Woods and Drew Docherty as the forwards punched holes in St. Helens’ defence. The stress on the hosts’ defence began to show as the Robins’ were awarded two penalties for infringements around the ruck.

Jack Redshaw made the pressure on St. Helens’ line count as he burrowed over for Hull KR. Williams added the two and the Robins only trailed 14-10.

The junior Robins continued the pace in attack, splitting St.Helens through the middle on the back of half breaks from Henry Tully and Alfie Petty.

Now building pressure, Tully went close twice on Saints’ line before being brought down only metres close on both occasions. The Robins’ defence firmed up as they locked in to pin St. Helens on their own line.

The pressure took its toll on St. Helens as the Red and Whites spread the ball to the right edge for Henry Hope to cross in the corner. Williams couldn’t add the extras, the score stood at 14-14.

Picking up momentum, the Robins forced an error from St. Helens with a shift play on their left edge not reaching the final man to go into touch.

With less than twenty minutes left, Hull KR took the lead for the first time through Henry Tully crashing his way over on the Robins’ left edge. Williams nailed the two from touch and the Scholars lead 20-14.

Heading into the final ten minutes, the junior Robins’ confidence grew with Henry Hope and Cam Brigham keeping the ball alive to find Alfie Woods before the prop was caught high in front of the posts. Hull KR opted for the two. Williams added the penalty, and the Scholars extended their lead to 22-14.

The penalty from Rhys Williams would be one of the final acts of the game as Hull KR’s scholarship side made it four wins from four

1. Rhys Williams

2. Henry Hope

3. Jake Myers

4. Cam Brigham

5. Keijimi Ashaolu

6. Josh Guynan

7. Preston Pettman

8. Alfie Woods

9. Charlie Forrester

10. Alfie Petty

11. Henry Tully