Super League: Leeds edge Hull KR to avoid last place
Last Updated: 21/07/16 11:35pm
Leeds will have four home games in the Middle 8s after claiming a 24-20 win over Hull KR on Thursday night.
Leeds took a two-point lead into half-time thanks to tries from Jimmy Keinhorst and Rob Burrow after Matty Marsh opened the scoring for the home side and Maurice Blair scored just before the break.
Hull KR were first on the board in the second half with a length-of-the-field effort that was finished by Ken Sio, before James Segeyaro pushed the Rhinos back ahead with 16 minutes remaining.
Ryan Hall appeared to have put the game to bed with a try in the 77th minute, but a sensational try from Kieran Dixon off the restart forced a close finish.
However Leeds were able to hold on for a win that sees them guarantee at least 10th place in the standings, which gives them an extra home game in the Middle 8s.
Hull KR started the game the better of the two sides, and they were first on the board when John Boudebza put in a clever kick ahead and Marsh was first to the ball to score under the poles. Josh Mantellato converted for a 6-0 lead.
It took Leeds until the end of the first quarter to get themselves into the game and they were rewarded for their patience with two tries in succession.
Keinhorst was the first to score for the visitors, taking a pass from Burrow before cutting inside the Robins defence to race up the field. Tackled just short of the line, Keinhorst stretched to get the ball down and notch his side's first points.
Burrow was next to add some individual brilliance, sidestepping through the Hull KR defence after Liam Sutcliffe made the initial break up the field. Sutcliffe's second conversion put Leeds 12-6 ahead.
Hull KR had the final say of the first half, with Kelly holding up the Rhinos defence before releasing Blair down the left for a try. Mantellato was unable to convert, leaving Leeds 12-10 up at half-time.
Hull KR hit back after the restart, with the ball falling loose after a Leeds high ball and Kelly claiming it to dart up the field. Kelly stepped inside the defence before putting in a kick ahead that was collected by Minns who was tackled by Hall. In the tackle Minns managed to offload the ball to Sio on the switch for a 16-12 lead to Hull KR after the successful conversion.
Leeds reclaimed the lead when Segeyaro supported well after passing to Brett Ferres and was on hand to take the offload for a score next to the poles and an 18-16 scoreline at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
With the game in the balance the Robins were forced to play more expansively, and that led to a loose pass which was grabbed by Hall down the left. Hall stepped inside the defence and ran in the try that appeared to have sealed it for the defending champions.
However off the restart the ball was claimed by the home side, and Minns put in a kick ahead for Dixon who dotted down with just over a minute remaining. Mantellato missed the conversion and Leeds survived the final seconds to claim the win.