CULBURRA’S Adam Quinlan and his Hull Kingston Rovers ground out a tough 26-24 win against the Widnes Vikings at the weekend.
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The Vikings took an early lead through a Krisnan Inu penalty after Tickle was sin-binned for interference, but a Chris Atkin penalty and a James Donaldson try, improved by Tickle, saw the Red and Whites lead by six points at the break.
Tickle extended that advantage just after the restart with a converted try, but scores from Olly Ashall-Bott and Danny Craven drew the home side level, before Adam Quinlan edged Rovers ahead again.
The first of a double from Owen Buckley put the Vikings back in the hunt, but Liam Salter’s try and some defensive heroics late on saw the Robins victorious.
“It was a tough, tight game,” Rovers coach Tim Sheens said.
“We expected it, and talked about it all week.
“They’re a better team than the table says, and they’ve had a lot of people out this year.
“They’ve got a big pack, good half-backs and some size and speed out wide.
“They lost Marsh early and we lost two or three. Justin’s ankle is probably the worst.
“I hope it’s not a major ligament, but we’ll see.
“Lunt had to play 80 minutes and Tommy’s back went on him in the warm-up.
“He felt a twinge in training but we thought we’d be able to get him through, but unfortunately he felt it again in the heat during the warm-up.
“We lost Joel Tomkins with a knee issue before the game, and Vaivai missed out too so it was quite a shake-up for us but they did the job.
“Clarkson and Salter both took knocks to the shoulder but they were only stingers and they were able to carry on.
“Then James Greenwood hurt his hip.
“There’s a bit of momentum being formed at the moment, but you’d like to go through the next couple of weeks without further injuries and disruption.
“We’ve known the situation was going to be out of our hands for a while, so for us it’s all about form – playing well, building form heading into wherever the second half of the season is.
“We’re a good side, but we’ve got guys who’ve been missing for a big part of this year.
“They need to be playing, improving their form and the team’s form so our only thoughts today were about winning the game.
“Our biggest aim this season was always about survival, and then it gives us the chance to re-build and go again next year.”
Rovers next face the Warrington Wolves at KCOM Craven Park on Friday, July 20.