Ryan Shaw helps Hull KR thrash Huddersfield
Ryan Shaw scored 22 points to help Hull Kingston Rovers win convincingly against a poor Huddersfield Giants outfit.
Rick Stone made one change to his Huddersfield side that beat Widnes Vikings last weekend. Jordan Turner came in for the injured Jake Mamo.
Tim Sheens also made one change to his Hull KR outfit that lost in Perpignan last time out. Danny Tickle dropped out of the squad and James Donaldson made his first appearance since Good Friday last year following a torrid time with injuries.
Huddersfield got out of the blocks quick at the John Smith’s Stadium. Ireland international Oliver Roberts steamed onto a short ball from Danny Brough to score in the seventh minute. Brough converted to put his side in an early 6-0 lead.
Hull KR replied just five minutes later though. Andrew Heffernan produced two lethal steps to fool the Giants defence and dive over. Shaw’s conversion made the score level.
The Rovers got their second in as many minutes. Heffernan made a quick break before assisting the supporting Adam Quinlan who scored. Shaw added the conversion and the visitors were 12-6 ahead.
Ryan Hinchcliffe was caught holding on for too long in the tackle and as a result, the Giants opted to take a shot at goal. Shaw added the penalty goal to put his side 14-6 in front after 32 minutes.
Shaw extended Hull KR’s lead just before half time. The speedster latched onto a lovely little grubber from Quinlan to glide over out wide. He converted his own try to put Rovers in a 20-6 lead at the break.
The Rovers started the second half in dominant fashion. Robbie Mulhern showed a clean pair of heels, making an 80-metre break, getting away from Danny Brough and Jermaine McGillvary, before passing it to James Greenwood who finished the spectacular effort. Shaw’s boot made the score 26-6 to Huddersfield.
Sheens would have been happy with what he saw from his side in the second half. They scored another as Heffernan made a break and passed it out wide to Shaw who went over. Again, he converted his own try to put his side in a comfortable 32-6 advantage.
And Danny McGuire capped a fine performance from KR with just moments to go. Shaw made a fine break down the wing before giving it back to McGuire on the inside. Shaw’s conversion saw the Rovers run-out convincing 38-6 winners.
Huddersfield: 15 Rankin; 2 McGillvary, 4 Turner, 26 Wood, 5 Murphy; 6 Gaskell, 7 Brough; 8 Ikahihifo, 21 O’Brien, 17 Ta’ai, 16 Roberts, 14 Ferguson, 13 Hinchcliffe. Subs: 9 Leeming, 18 Clough, 24 Dickinson, 22 Mellor.
Hull KR: 1 Quinlan; 5 Shaw, 4 Heffernan, 3 Minns, 36 Carney; 7 McGuire, 24 Atkin; 21 Mulhern, 18 Lawler, 10 Masoe, 17 Clarkson, 11 Blair, 13 Kavanagh. Subs: 8 Scruton, 19 Lee, 15 Donaldson, 12 Greenwood.
Starman: Ryan Shaw. There were a number of contenders like Robbie Mulhern and Adam Quinlan but Shaw scored 22 points for the Rovers, so we can’t overlook him really.
Attendance: 4,612