Challenge Cup: Hull KR 26-14 Leigh Leopards - Robins avenge 2023 final defeat to reach semis
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Challenge Cup highlights: Hull KR 26-14 Leigh Leopards
Betfred Challenge Cup |
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Hull KR (4) 26 |
Tries: Burgess 2, Tanginoa, Evalds, Minchella Goals: Lewis 2 |
Leigh (8) 14 |
Tries: O'Donnell, Hanley Goals: Moylan 3 |
Hull KR survived a Leigh fightback to avenge their 2023 Challenge Cup final loss and reach the 2024 semi-finals.
Joe Burgess' run in from his own 20-metre line gave KR an early lead before Kai O'Donnell edged the holders ahead.
The hosts regained the lead soon after the restart when Burgess crashed over in the corner for his second while Kelepi Tanginoa added to their total.
Umyla Hanley responded as Leigh set up a tense finale but Niall Evalds and Elliot Minchella helped KR through.
Although head coach Willie Peters had played down talk of avenging their Wembley heartache, there was certainly a spirit about the Robins in their bid to return, at least after half-time.
Leigh had shown their own qualities, backing up their Tom Amone-inspired power game up front with the craft of Lachlan Lam and Matt Moylan, and their left-edge attack was dominant.
O'Donnell got the try their supremacy merited after Ricky Leutele had caused panic with his surge down that flank, and two Moylan goals had them ahead at the break.
All too often this season the Leopards have been unable to back up halves with a corresponding effort, and it showed as a renewed Robins marched on.
Burgess added to his solo yomp with a powerful finish out wide under pressure, and Tanginoa hit a screamer of a line from a switch for his score.
Adrian Lam's Leigh showed they were not out of it when Hanley kept up his rich form to score out wide, but it was a short-lived revival.
Evalds - a losing Lance Todd Trophy winner in 2021 - helped his dreams of a Wembley return with a fine score from a sliding right edge shift.
Captain Minchella's finish on the hooter finally eased fears and ensured East Hull would have a semi-final to look forward to, and a chance to put last season's disappointment well and truly aside.
Hull KR: Evalds; Burgess, Hiku, Opacic, R. Hall; May, Lewis; Sue, Litten, Whitbread, Hadley, Batchelor, Minchella.
Interchanges: Parcell, Storton, Tanginoa, Tennison.
Leigh: Moylan; Hanley, Hardaker, Leutele, Charnley; McNamara, Lam; Amone, Dwyer, Trout, O'Donnell, Halton, Hughes.
Interchanges: Nakubuwai, Norman, Davis, Chamberlain.
Referee: Chris Kendall.