Tyrone May tactic helps set up huge week with request made to Hull KR fans
Tyrone May's competitive edge was lauded after his hunger and threat in the air helped Hull Kingston Rovers see off Leigh Leopards.
Hull KR coach Willie Peters said he knew May was "on" in the impressive 24-0 win in Leigh, which sets up a potentially exciting regular-season finale next weekend, when Rovers host Leeds Rhinos. The Robins are two points behind league leaders Wigan Warriors - with Rovers having a much better points difference - going into the final round, with Matty Peet's men hosting Salford Red Devils. Peters wants the fans to crank up the volume again for the Leeds game and create an "electric" atmosphere, with a home semi-final being a potential reward.
There was a big-game feel at Leigh too and, after an intense and tight first 20 minutes, the deadlock was broken when a Mikey Lewis high kick pressured Matt Moylan - and May chased hard, leapt and batted the ball back for Ryan Hall to pounce. The same scenario happened again for Rovers' second try as they went 10-0 up; a Lewis kick, pressure on Moylan, a May chase and bat back for Hall, who this time teed up Lewis to produce some typically elusive movements on the way over the try-line.
READ MORE:Adrian Lam on why Hull KR game made him 'angry' and views on Robins' strengths
READ MORE:Hull FC ratings as young trio stand up despite manner of another heavy defeat
May was also instrumental in stretching the lead as Rovers scored their fourth try, as he helped keep alive a move by flinging the ball out for Matty Storton, who supplied Lewis for the Hull-born player's second try of the night.
Peters said: "We always want to end our sets on a positive note, with our chases. Tyrone does that in training, he does it in games, and got rewarded for it. When you are playing against good teams, it often would be an end-of-set kick or an offload or something like that; rarely is it off the beautiful shape that everyone wants to see. A lot of those tries come off kicks and competing for the ball.
"When Tyrone is doing that - and he is tackling well and his defence is on - you know he is on. Everything else comes off the back off that. He ran the ball, he kicked, but what I loved the most is how hard he competes."
Looking ahead to the Leeds game, Peters said: "Like every other Friday night, hopefully it'll be a little bit louder. They've turned up every game and there's another thousand seats that we've sold so it's going to be electric."
Rovers were disrupted for the Leigh game before the contest as Kelepi Tanginoa was out with a hamstring concern - then, during the game, Niall Evalds failed his HIA and Elliot Minchella was sin-binned for a high shot on Moylan, while Oliver Gildart also looked uncomfortable and needs to be assessed further.
Click here - Get the latest news on our Rugby League Live WhatsApp channel