Two late tries saw Hull KR snatch a late win from Leeds Rhinos at AMT Headingley as the Rhinos fell to a 20-12 defeat in Brad Arthur's first game in charge.

Rhyse Martin got the only points of the first half as Leeds took a slender lead into the break, but three tries from the Robins in the second half saw them take the win home.

A fast start from the Rhinos saw them score the one and only try of the first 40 minutes after six minutes. With new head coach Arthur watching on, the home side made inroads in the games opening minutes as Lachie Miller and Harry Newman almost opened up the Robins’ right edge. As the Rhinos reached the fifth tackle, Matt Frawley’s high bomb was knocked on in the air by Hull KR full back Jack Broadbent, and Rhyse Martin was there to sweep up the loose ball and score the opening points.

Leeds attacks began to flow as chances for both Paul Momirovski, who was stopped short of the line, and David Fusitu’a both threatened to add more points to Leeds’ tally. Hull KR responded as Mikey Lewis and Matt Parcell were both held up in quick succession, before Tyrone May’s last tackle kick was forced out of play by Ash Handley.

Kelepi Tanginoa had a try ruled out for obstruction in the build up, which was Hull KR’s closest scoring moment in the first half, but sensing danger, the Rhinos were wise to choose to kick a penalty won by Sam Lisone. Martin was off-target though as the score remained 6-0 at the break.

The second half could have got off to a try scoring start for the home side had David Fusitu’a kept hold of the ball as the winger went to score in the corner, but a opportunities for the away side saw them strike twice in the space of ten minutes.

Former Leeds man Ryan Hall finished off a wide move in the corner as Super League’s leading try scorer found the line for the nineth time this season, before Lewis went from a try creator to try scorer. Miller put the Leeds defence under pressure as the full back let a kick from Hull KR bounce back behind his try line and he couldn’t get back into the field of play. Camped on the try line, Lewis managing to break through the tackle of Brodie Croft and Paul Momirovski to force his way over and give the away side their first lead of the game.

With plenty of time left, the Rhinos began to turn the screw with a string of chances. Miller fired a frantic pass that missed the hands of Handley that could have seen the winger get over the line, before Andy Ackers was haulted with a  high shot as he looked to dive for the line. With 11 minutes remaining, the much needed try came for the home side, but in the oddest of circumstances. 

Frawley’s kick on the last looked to pressure full back Broadbent, but as he allowed the ball to bounce, it ricocheted up onto the crossbar, back down and out of Broadbent’s hands and into the grasp of Miller, who planted it down before racing away to celebrate. Martin added to the two points to give Leeds a two point lead.

Two late tries from the visitors swung the game in the final minutes though to snatch a potential win away from Leeds. Despite a long wait by the video referee, Jai Whitbread turned the game back in favour of Hull KR as a knock on by Fusitu’a saw May flick a pass back for the prop to cross the line, before Jez Litten raced away for a long-range effort to finish the scoring at 20-12.

Rhinos

1. Lachlan Miller, 2. David Fusitu’a, 4. Paul Momirovski, 3. Harry Newman, 5. Ash Handley, 6. Brodie Croft, 7. Matt Frawley, 8. Mikolaj Oledzki, 9. Andy Ackers, 36. Sam Eseh Jr, 16. James McDonnell, 12. Rhyse Martin, 13. Cameron Smith (C)

Subs: 14. Jarrod O’Connor, 15. Sam Lisone, 29. Alfie Edgell, 25. James Donaldson (18^th Man – 21. Jack Sinfield)

Tries: Martin (5), Miller (69)

Goals: Martin 2/3

Hull KR

36. Jack Broadbent, 35. Joe Burgess, 1. Peta Hiku, 4. Oliver Gildart, 5. Ryan Hall, 27. Tyrone May, 7. Mikey Lewis, 8. Sauaso Sue, 14. Matt Parcell, 11. Dean Hadley, 17. Matty Storton, 3. Tom Opacic, 13. Elliot Minchella

Subs: 9. Jez Litten, 15. Sam Luckley, 16. Jai Whitbread, 20. Kelepi Tanginoa (18^th Man – 37. Jack Brown)

Tries: Hall (46), Lewis (53), Whitbread (75) Litten (79)

Goals: Lewis 2/4