Super League: Greg Eden scores a hat-trick as Hull KR beat Catalan Dragons
Greg Eden scored a hat-trick as Hull KR emerged with a hard-fought 22-21 success over the Catalan Dragons.
Last Updated: 22/06/13 8:50pm
Vincent Duport's second try of the game late on gave Catalan a five-point lead before Eden's third try allowed Michael Dobson to kick the match-winning conversion.
Catalan had three tries chalked off by the video referee but they did cross four times through Kevin Larroyer, Morgan Escare and Duport (two) while Josh Hodgson joined Eden on the scoresheet for KR.
An entertaining first half flew by as Rovers ran out to a commanding lead before being pegged back by the Dragons.
Eden capitalised on Thomas Bosc's reverse kick after it was fumbled by Dobson to race the full length of the field to touch down.
Dobson added the extras before another Eden break gave KR a great attacking position. Dobson attacked the line and managed to step and dummy his way to within five metres of the before drawing full-back Escare and offloading inside for the supporting Hodgson to score under the posts.
Catalan then came back thanks to some inspiration play from their captain, Remi Casty. The French international took on the Rovers line before offloading to Larroyer, who powered his way over to narrow the lead, Bosc missed the
conversion attempt.
On a roll
Catalan were on a roll, and in the next set Escare had a try disallowed for obstruction but that did not stop their momentum. The Dragons full-back did, however, score soon after although Bosc again missed the conversion.
The Catalan halfback failed again with the boot following Duport's score which was a well-worked team try, with the ball passing through the hands of Leon Pryce, Daryl Millard, Lopini Paea, Escare and Steve Menzies before the centre crashed over the line.
Bosc did manage a drop goal with five seconds of the first half remaining as Catalan went to the interval with the slimmest of leads.
After the break both sides looked to attack and press home an advantage but the final pass went to ground or the opposition. Bosc added a penalty to extend the home side's lead just before the hour mark.
With 13 minutes remaining, Eden scored his second of the night as he latched on to Dobson's perfect inside pass to touch down close to the left touchline to see Rovers re-take the lead. Dobson missed the conversion to leave KR one point ahead of the home side.
Three minutes later, the Dragons were back in front when Duport barged his way over for his second of the night. Bosc added the conversion to give the Dragons a five-point-lead.
Eden and Dobson then stole the show with five minutes remaining. Eden latched on to Sean Gleeson's short pass to cross and give Dobson a pressurised touchline conversion against his former club.