The aims for both Hull KR and the Leeds Rhinos were clear as they went into their round twenty-seven encounter at opposite ends of the play-off zone.

Hull KR knew that a win would be enough to guarantee them second spot and a weekend off before a home game in the play-off eliminator while nothing less than a victory would suffice for the Leeds Rhinos who needed the two points to lift them above the Leigh Leopards and into sixth spot should the Leopards not be able to secure a victory over St Helens in a game kicking off at the same time.

Hull KR were the massive favourites with the bookies, the Rhinos not given a hope of taking the points and extending their season.

Both sides made early handling errors as nerves were at the forefront in a crucial game.

The Rhinos weathered the early storm but after a late tackle from Peta Hiku on Harry Newman on eighteen minutes, Leeds used the ball well with Rhyse Martin taking a Brodie Croft pass to go in from ten metres for the opening score of the game. Martin hit the post with the conversion attempt from a kickable position.

On twenty-one the home side were level, Matt Parcell breaking through the Leeds line and running in from twenty metres out to dive under the sticks and give Mikey Lewis a simple conversion to put his side into a 6-4 lead.

Just before the half hour mark the Rhinos were back in front thanks to a brilliant try from Alfie Edgell after dropping both shoulders and stepping through the Rovers defence to score from ten metres out. Martin was on target this time for a 10-6 lead.

Glory turned to disaster for Edgell as he spilled a Lewis high kick on thirty-six, Hiku being the first to pounce and ground the ball for the second Robins try of the night. Lewis was wide with his conversion attempt, the sides locked up at 10-10 as they went into the sheds at the interval.

Leeds were caught in possession on their own thirty on forty-six and a set restart soon followed. On the third tackle Lewis put Tom Opacic through a gap to dive in and regain the lead. Lewis was wide with his conversion attempt.

Within four minutes Ryan Hall looked to have extended the lead but the try was ruled out by the video referee for an obstruction but on fifty-eight Sauaso Sue shrugged off three Leeds tacklers to drop over the line for the score under the sticks. This time Lewis hit the target for 20-10.

The game was over on sixty-six as Joe Burgess scored in the right corner off a Hiku pass after the centre had drawn in the Leeds defenders. Lewis added the conversion from the touchline for a sixteen-point lead, the Rhinos season over, the Robins with a week off to look forward too before one more win and Old Trafford.

The Rhinos scored the final try of the game, Ackers scooting from acting half back on the KR line to drop over the line and score. Martin added the conversion for a final score of 26-16, Hull KR victorious to guarantee themselves second spot in the league.

It was a sterner test for Hull KR than either they or the bookies thought. Leeds gave them a real fright in the first half in their desperate attempt to jump into the play-offs, but in the end the side who have had a sensational season in 2024 did enough to exploit the Rhinos weaknesses in defence with the high ball to take the win.

Hull KR: Broadbent, Burgess (T), Hiku (T), Opacic (T), Hall, May, Lewis (3/5 G), Sue (T), Parcell (T), Whitbread, Storton, Batchelor, Hadley.  Subs: Litten, Luckley, King, Brown. 18th Man: Tennison.

Leeds Rhino: Edgell (T), Lumb, Newman, Momirovski, Roberts, Croft, Frawley, Oledzki, Ackers (T), Sangare, McDonnell, Martin (T, 2/3 G), Smith. Subs: O’Connor, Lisone, Bentley, Donaldson. 18th Man: Nicholson-Watton. 

Half-Time: 10-10.

Full-Time: 26-16.

Score Progression: 0-4, 4-4, 6-4, 6-8, 6-10, 10-10 : HT: 14-10, 18-10, 20-10, 24-10, 26-10, 26-14, 26-16 :FT.

Lead Exchanges: Leeds – Square – Hull KR – Leeds – Square – Hull KR.

Referee: Jack Smith.