Rovers return to winning ways
Hull KR recorded a third straight victory over the Celtic Crusaders in 2009 with a 32-18 triumph at Brewery Field.
Last Updated: 23/06/09 11:23am
Hull KR bounced back to winning ways with a comfortable 32-18 victory over bottom club Celtic Crusaders at Brewery Field.
Clint Newton scored two of the Robins' six tries as they recorded a third success over their Welsh opponents in 2009, having already triumphed twice at Craven Park earlier in the season.
The Crusaders did lead 4-0 in the early stages of the first half and also pegged back their rivals to 12-12 soon after the interval.
However, their hopes of a second successive win disappeared when Rovers, who had lost their last two, crossed three times in the space of 12 minutes.
Purple patch
Kris Welham, Newton and Michael Dobson all touched down in a purple patch for the visitors to make sure they wouldn't become the second major scalp for the Crusaders in just over a week.
Having humbled the mighty Wigan 22-16 the previous Saturday, hopes of a second home win for Super League's basement boys were raised by an impressive start.
A pair of Mark Lennon penalties gave them the upper hand in a first 40 minutes that was dominated by the whistle of referee James Child.
Only a knock-on denied Luke Dyer adding to their advantage before Rovers replied with Newton's first of the night from Dobson's pass.
The forward turned from scorer to provider just before the break when he set up replacement Jason Netherton to get over near the posts.
With both conversions going over from Dobson's boot, Rovers coach Justin Morgan - who is assistant to Wales national coach and Crusaders boss John Dixon - saw his side hold a useful half-time lead.
That advantage disappeared though when the home team grabbed a pair of tries, full-back Damien Quinn getting the first with a solo 60-yard break.
Assist
The scores were then levelled when Anthony Blackwood flipped back a crossfield kick to provide the assist for prop Ryan O'Hara.
Stunned into life, the Robins upped the tempo and their consistent pressure finally paid off when centre Welham went over in the corner.
Newton's second put daylight between the two sides and when Dobson intercepted a loose pass to sprint over, the game was over as a contest.
Crusaders hooker Lincoln Withers grabbed a late consolation with six minutes left, though Hull KR still managed to have the last word - full-back Shaun Briscoe stretching out to ground the ball over the line.