Parcell delivers Hull KR derby win to put Leeds bottom
One of the players at the centre of this week’s Super League transfer merry-go-round sealed a crucial derby win for Hull KR over Hull FC and lift them off the bottom of the table.
Hooker Matt Parcell, who arrived from Leeds in a swap deal with Shaun Lunt, crawled over the line to touch down in the final two minutes to make sure of the two points as the Robins prevailed 18-10, their second home derby win of the season.
Having narrowly lost out to both Wigan and London either side of a win against Warrington, this was a vital game to come out on top of, and it leaves Leeds in the relegation spot ahead of their game against Catalans on Sunday.
It was yet more entertaining fare in front of the Sky Sports cameras live on a Thursday night and it was the Airlie Birds, who saw a five match winning run come to an end, who struck first. A pinpoint Marc Sneyd kick caught Craig Hall off guard down the Robins right hand side, enabling Bureto Faraimo to cross for a score that Sneyd would convert from out wide.
Hull failed to take advantage of a Jake Connor 40/20, before the Robins levelled things up with a fine score of their own. Buzzing full-back Adam Quinlan got outside his man to break the line and he slotted a low kick across for Ben Crooks to superbly bend down and collect the ball off his toes after a fumble and it was 6-6.
Both sides were guilty of wasting chances thereafter, the closest either side came was when Crooks had a try ruled out by the video referee with Hall adjudged to have gone in to touch.
A guilt-edged chance was spilled close to the line by Sika Manu and as the half closed out, it seemed that Hull KR would take a late drop goal, but they settled for a 6-6 half time score.
Hull made a sluggish start to the second half and they were made to pay on 52 minutes when Joel Tomkins got on the end of a short kick by Josh Drinkwater to give the Robins the lead.
The visitors were struggling to gain a foothold, and when Connor kicked out on the full from inside his own half, they were made to wait further for progress.
They benefited from a 50/50 call on 67 minutes though, the ball being adjudged to have been knocked on by a Robins player and from the resulting scrum, Hull shifted it right with Andre Savelio taking on Connor’s short ball at speed to reach the line.
Sneyd hit the post with the kick, meaning the Robins maintained a two point advantage.
It proved just enough as their defence stood firm, and in an ending that will have undoubtedly caused a few headaches at Headingley, Parcell took a pass back off Mitch Garbutt to ensure the win.
Hull KR: Quinlan, Shaw, Linnett, Crooks, Hall, Drinkwater, McGuire, Johnson, Parcell, Murray, Tomkins, Hauraki, Lawler. Subs: Garbutt, Masoe, Atkin, Livett.
Hull FC: Shaul, Faraimo, Tuimavave, Griffin, Naulago, Connor, Sneyd, Green, Houghton, Paea, Minichiello, Manu, Westerman. Subs: Fash, Bowden, Taylor, Savelio.