29 September 2023 , 21:20
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WILLIE PETERS hailed Matt Parcell after the Aussie hooker got off his sick bed to send Hull KR to within 80 minutes of a maiden Super League Grand Final.
The effervescent Aussie hooker proved inspirational as Rovers gained sweet revenge on Leigh for last month's painful Challenge Cup final defeat. He was the heartbeat of a quality performance as they nailed a tense play-off eliminator. And a spell of three tries in a ten-minute blitz either side of the break from Jack Walker, Ryan Hall and Sam Luckley means it’s the East Yorkshire club now into next weekend’s Super League semis.
"They will visit either Wigan or Catalans and Aussie head coach Peters - in his first year in the competition - said: “I’m really proud. We knew Leigh would be tough but we got the job done.
“Matty caused havoc and he was sick during the week. He didn’t come to our main training day. It was a massive effort. He was blowing at half-time but wanted to stay out there. He was outstanding. Our forwards won that middle third and that helped Matty. We want to be in the big games and now we get chance to continue this.
“We knew they’d come and throw a lot at us second half and they did “But we hung on in the end. That was a finals sort of game. We found a way to get some points. And we pride ourselves on those defensive efforts we showed. That’s who we are.”
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Leigh owner Derek Beaumont was furious last week claiming a contentious referee call cost his side victory over Wigan - and a home tie against KR. And he might be fuming again after veteran England winger Hall twisted over to put the hosts firmly in control at 14-2 in the 37th minute. Leigh hooker Joe Mellor seemed certain he had prevented Hall from grounding but video official Chris Kendall did not overturn referee Jack Smith’s decision to award a try.
Hull KR defenders close in on Leigh's Joe Mellor (PA)When Gareth O’Brien - who had a nightmare evening - spilled the second half kick-off, Luckley barged over within 83 seconds to extend KR’s advantage. And, ironcially, Kendall did then overturn a call to award Mellor a 52nd minute try. But it was the correct decision after Leigh hooker Edwin Ipape had walked off the mark playing the ball and blocked Luckley.
Leigh, who have had a dream year after winning promotion, finally stirred into action with Josh Charnley’s 30th try of the campaign four minutes later.
But Peters’ side dug deep to ensure there was no comeback, Brad Schneider slotting his fourth goal with a late penalty to make sure. Rovers lost to Catalans in a Super League semi-final two years ago but now get a second shot at making Old Trafford.
Hull KR's Louis Senior offloads against Leigh (PA)Their offloading quality in the middle of the park caused Leigh - missing injured John Asiata and Zak Hardaker - all sorts of issues. It allowed Parcell and brilliant full-back Walker - buzzing around like fireflies - to up the tempo and make big incisions. In the first half, Parcell fizzed through off one Luckley offload but Walker’s final pass to Schneider was deemed forward.
Mikey Lewis was next to almost cross only for Tom Briscoe to make a try-saving tackle. But it only delayed the inevitable, James Batchelor charging through and finding a pass for Walker to arrow over in the 32nd minute.
Five minutes later, crafty Parcell robbed O’Brien as the Leigh full-back returned a kick and Hall was in moments after to get his side on their way. Lam said: “It’s been an amazing year but we didn’t really show our identity tonight. Once we lost home advantage, it was always going to be a mighty effort. Congratulations to Hull KR, they too have been growing and building for the future.”