Hull KR 24 Catalan 32: Sandercock rues costly errors as Dragons beat Hull KR

Hull KR coach Craig Sandercock was left to reflect on another slow start after his side slipped to a narrow home defeat to Catalan Dragons.

After winning all three pre-season games, he hoped his side had built up enough momentum to defeat the Dragons, but a poor first half proved costly for the second-year coach.

“Too many errors, forced offloads and penalties cost us,” Sandercock said. “We worked hard in pre-season not to do those things in the friendlies.

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“It was very disappointing because I really fancied our chances.”

But for French rookie coach Laurent Frayssinous he started his Super League career in style.

Michael Dobson gave Rovers a third-minute lead with a penalty.

The lead only lasted four minutes as Thomas Bosc sent Zeb Taia over for a try and Bosc converted for a 6-2 lead which Jason Baitieri extended as he took advantage of some slack defending from Rovers.

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Super League’s oldest player Steve Menzies then rolled back the years with two tries in the closing stages of the first half.

His first came when Brent Webb’s pass caught Rovers off guard on their left-hand side. The best try of the half came on the opposite flank when Jamal Fakir broke with electric pace before sending the 39-year-old Menzies away for a simple score. Bosc landed three of the four conversions as the home side struggled.

Rovers’ problems worsened three minutes after the break. A breakdown in communication 20 metres from their own line between Con Mika and Lincoln Withers gifted Catalan possession from which Fakir ran through unopposed to score. Bosc missed the conversion but the Dragons led 26-2.

Rovers finally got over the Catalan line in the 51st minute from a superb offload from Cory Paterson. It was just what Rovers needed with half an hour to play and another Paterson offload helped set up Rovers’ second try. A Dobson kick was dropped a metre from his try line by Webb and fell invitingly for Josh Hodgson to pick up and score. Dobson converted to make it 26-12.

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Suddenly Rovers were on top and they made the most of their dominance when Omari Caro scored his side’s third try of the game. Centre Liam Salter provided the perfect flick pass for the winger to score and Dobson converted to set up a tense finale.

However, Webb then secured victory for the Dragons, Julian Bousquet powered through and offloaded for Webb to score.

The game’s final score came for the home side when Hodgson found Withers to open his account for the season with two minutes remaining. Dobson’s conversion made the final score 32-24.

Hull KR: Hall, Caro, Horne, Salter, D. Hodgson, Withers, Dobson, Paea, J. Hodgson, Walker, Mika, Paterson, Griffin. Substitutes: Carlile, Cox, Lovegrove, Tuimavave.

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Catalan Dragons: Webb, Blanch, Menzies, Duport, Millard, Pryce, Bosc, Bousquet, Henderson, Casty, Taia, Anderson, Baitieri. Substitutes: Elima, Mounis, Pelissier, Fakir.

Referee: P Bentham (Warrington).

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