Featherstone 18-30 Hull KR: Tim Sheens' side close to Super League return with Qualifiers win
Last Updated: 03/09/17 7:42pm
Hull KR moved to the brink of automatic promotion back into Super League with a 30-18 win over Featherstone Rovers.
There was little to separate the two teams in the opening exchanges and it was a mistake from Hull KR that handed Featherstone the first points of the game.
An untidy play of the ball handed the hosts the scrum before quick hands down the left-hand touchline saw Misi Taulapapa put Kyran Johnson over in the corner, Ian Hardman adding the conversion.
It didn't take long however for Hull to hit back and put themselves in the driving seat as the Robins' top try-scorer Ryan Shaw raced 80m to dot down for his side's first of the afternoon.
Danny Addy and Jamie Ellis also followed suit before the half was out handing their side a 18-6 lead at the break.
Much like they did at the start of the opening half, Hull conceded first when Frankie Mariano dived over for Featherstone, Hardman's conversion reducing the deficit to six.
A penalty from the boot of Gareth Ellis gave the Red and Whites some breathing space but Featherstone continued to press going close on a number of occasions.
Hull then struck with the defining blow, two quickfire tries from Thomas Minns and Andrew Hefferman taking the game out of reach.
The final word went to the home side, Johnson racing over for his second of the afternoon but it was nothing more than a consolation as Tim Sheen's side took another step closer to a return to Super League.