Shaun Lunt scored twice as Kingstone Press Championship side Hull KR earned a thrilling 20-16 victory over Leigh Centurions in the Qualifiers Super 8s.
The hooker went in for a try in each half - his second with just five minutes of the game remaining to seal a memorable win for the Robins, who traded places with Leigh in 2016.
KR with a huge win! #Super8s pic.twitter.com/U10TdnjEgh
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) August 12, 2017
But it was a former Centurions player, Jamie Ellis, who pulled the strings for Tim Sheens' side with an outstanding kicking game which helped Hull KR control the second half.
Daniel Mortimer gave Leigh a 12th-minute lead but Hull KR, who won at the Sports Village in the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup back in April, responded through Lunt to make it 6-6 approaching half-time.
Has @Shaun_Lunt ever scored a try further than 5 metres out??? Who cares 🔴⚪ï¸ðŸ”´âšªï¸
— Thomas Minns (@Minnsie1) August 12, 2017
The Centurions had their noses in front at the break courtesy of Josh Drinkwater's penalty and the scrum-half added another two 10 minutes into the second half to give the hosts a four-point lead.
Ryan Shaw's well-taken try and Ellis' touchline conversion edged Hull KR in front for the first time only for Atelea Vea to power his way over to swing the game back in Leigh's favour.
But Rovers were not to be denied, Lunt going over from dummy half to give his side's hopes of an immediate return to Super League a huge boost.
"We will enjoy the win but it means nothing if we don't come out with the right attitude next week. London at home will be a tough game again.
"I think the Championship's top four teams this year are a much stronger four than last year. They were nervous and so were we."
Leigh head coach Neil Jukes said: "It's a tough competition and we know exactly what it's about. Losing has not made it impossible, it has just added pressure on the next few games.
"On another day with the same mentality, we give ourselves a chance."
