Hull KR 20 Bradford Bulls 19: Relief for Sheens as Robins fend off Bulls

The Championship leaders were made to fight all the way by the competition’s bottom club at the Summer Bash.

After former Hull KR stand-off Dane Chisholm raced in for a fine 80m solo try in the 54th minute – during his first game back for Bradford since re-joining from Sheffield Eagles – Oscar Thomas converted for a 13-10 lead.

However, Australian Chisholm departed injured soon after and Rovers were able to regain the advantage in the final quarter.

Andrew Heffernan grabbed his second and Jordan Abdull also scored, Jamie Ellis finishing with four goals, although a late try from Bradford’s Ethan Ryan still set up a tense finale.

“We expect dropped ball on contact on days like today, but I thought we handled it reasonably well,” said Sheens, after downpours at Bloomfield Road.

“We were under the pump for a while with Bradford going in front early on.

“Overall our defence was pretty strong, particularly our goal line defence, and our fitness shone through in the end as we ground out a tough two points.

“We practiced all week in dry conditions and had to adjust during the 15 minute warm up. But I’m very happy with our attitude and our execution wasn’t too bad. Any mistakes we made we backed up with some strong defence.

“We probably should have kicked a goal when we didn’t and kicked one when we shouldn’t have but they didn’t give us too much grief for it.”

Hull K R: Cockayne, Shaw, Hefernan, Butler-Fleming, Moss, Abdull, Ellis, Scruton, Lunt, Johnson, Blair, Addy, Kavanagh. Substitutes: Dockar-Clay, Salter, Cator, Mulhern.

Bradford: Thomas, Macani, Ryan, Bentley, Campbell, Lilley, Chisholm, Magrin, Hallas, Kirk, C. Smith, Roche, Peltier. Substitutes: Oledzki, Moore, Keyes, Davies.

Referee: T Grant (RFL).