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Hull KR 16 Castleford Tigers 6: Briscoe in imperious form as Hull KR triumph
SHAUN BRISCOE put down his marker for the England No 1 jersey with an outstanding individual display as Hull Kingston Rovers kept up the pressure on engage Super League leaders St Helens with a stirring victory over Castleford Tigers.
The full-back has been at the peak of his powers all year and delivered a flawless performance that saw him keep his line intact under considerable pressure from the game Tigers and win the match for Rovers with two well-taken tries.
Briscoe, who was a clear winner of the home man-of-the-match award, was rock solid at the back in a match dominated by both defences and in which neither side showed too much composure in attack.
The England full-back role has been held by Paul Wellens in recent years but on last night's evidence Briscoe deserves promotion for there is not a player in the competition to match him.
"He's been outstanding all season and I'd have have no hesitation in selecting him for the England team but I'm biased because I see how hard he works," said delighted Hull KR coach Justin Morgan. "I'm really pleased with the win because I thought we hung in there and showed great spirit and determination."
Rovers made hard work of it at times, especially with a 13-7 penalty count in their favour, but credit should be given to the defensive resolve of their opponents.
However the Tigers were twice undone in the early stages of each half, conceding tries in the fifth and 44th minutes, the first by Peter Fox who put a good finish to an accomplished handling move.
Castleford only had themselves to blame for the score came after they had twice been penalised to set up the position from which Michael Dobson and Paul Cooke combined for Briscoe to send Fox over on the left.
Rovers went close midway through the half when more smart handling enabled Kris Welham to race away only for the centre to be closed down by a try-saving tackle by Kirk Dixon and Michael Wainwright.
Castleford constantly probed away but despite the best efforts of Rangi Chase, who was a constant thorn in the Robins' side with his elusive running, and the pinpoint kicking of Brent Sherwin they could find no way through before the interval.
Rovers, who have now won their last six matches, struck a telling blow in the closing seconds of the half as Welham hared through to catch James Ford behind his own line as he fielded a deep kick by Dobson, leaving Castleford in no doubt that it would take a special effort to stop them.
Hull KR could not have made a better start to the second half with Briscoe collecting the first of his two tries with an opportune score that saw him skip through and take a low kick by Dobson to go over unopposed by the posts. The try had a rallying effect on the Tigers who closed to within four points with a score of their own five minutes later when a tight pass by Chase enabled prop Mitchell Sargent to crash over between the posts for Dixon to land the conversion.
Castleford had little problem creating chances but too often their good work was undone by some poor decision making of their own, as when Sherwin broke clear only to throw the ball away without a support player in sight.
However, their biggest bane was Rovers' unyielding defensive resolve which repelled the best their rivals had to throw at them before Briscoe struck with the decisive try on 70 minutes.
The score followed yet another Castleford penalty in their own half, from where Hull KR worked the ball downfield for Dobson and Stanley Gene to put Briscoe over.
Dobson's second goal completed the scoring and though both sides had chances in the closing stages defences ended on top in a game which left Castleford coach Terry Matterson fuming at the penalty count. "All we want is the rub of the green. I don't think we are an ill-disciplined side but I don't know if they (referees) know the rules," said Matterson.
"Justin (Morgan) had a few words to say about referees a few weeks ago and it seems like it's worked."
Hull Kingston Rovers: Briscoe; Fox, Webster, Welham, Colbon; Cooke, Dobson; Fozzard, Fitzhenry, Newton, Walker, Galea, Murrell. Substitutes: Aizue, Fisher, Wheeldon, Gene.
Castleford Tigers: Ford; Wainwright, Shenton, Evans, Dixon; Faumuina, Sherwin; Sargent, Chase, Higgins, Ferres, Jones, Westerman. Substitutes: Huby, Clayton, feather, Boyle.
Referee: G Hewer (Whitehaven).
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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