Hull KR 17, Cougars 20 - A nightmare Easter weekend saw Cougars crash to defeat at New Craven Park on Monday.

They started the year with a 24-8 victory against the Humberside team, but this time the roles were reversed.

Where Steve Deakin's men had played a patient waiting game to wear down the Hull team when they visited Cougar Park, this time they were over-eager.

A desperate team looking for desperate measures to reverse their three match loosing run.

Time and time again their impatience proved costly as they handed possession back to a Hull KR team which grew in confidence as the game progressed.

Time and time again they fought their way up to the Robins' 20 metre line, but forced passes, referee's decisions which would not go their way and simple basic errors relieved the pressure.

Martin Wood, Craig Horne and Danny Carter were missing from the 17-man squad which won at New Year with Hooson, Chris Robinson and James Walker coming in to plug the gaps, but at times they looked a completely different team.

They desperately needed a cool head to calm things down, but even the return of Nathan Antonik, still struggling with an ankle injury, was not enough.

Hull Kingston Rovers were without eight regular players, but had the determined edge needed to secure victory. At times they were left hanging on by their finger-tips but they had just enough.

They struck early with Scott Yeaman and Chris Charles working well together. A long pass left Chris Kitching with a huge gap to stroll in before running round under the posts. Charles added the simple conversion to post a warning that the home side were in a determined mood.

The score after just three minutes was a body blow to the already fragile confidence of the Keighley side, but they battled their way back.

Paul Harrison added the final forceful touch to a rampaging move and although Jason Lee could not complete the comparatively straight forward conversion attempt Cougars were firmly back in the game.

Ten minutes before the break Antonik showed skill and determination to touch down and the conversion gave Cougars a 10-6 lead. If they had carried that advantage into half time the whole course of the game may have changed.

The Hull club's Jimmy Walker slid under a couple of tackles before being held just short, but the relief was short lived. Two tackles later Steve Chochran slipped the ball from acting half and this time Walker dummied his way over for the try. Charles' conversion gave them a slender 12-10 lead at the break.

Although the timing of the score could not have been worse Cougars came out after the break with determination. For 20 minutes they played the best rugby Cougar fans have seen since their heroic defeat by table toppers Leigh.

They threw everything at Hull Kingston Rovers, forcing their way into an icy north wind but could not make the crucial break through.

The teams traded attacks in a pulsating period of play and it was increasingly clear that the next score would be crucial. Rovers made it clear they would be happy with a drop goal and after two failed attempts Walker put the ball between the uprights.

Minutes later they made certain of victory when they lined up for another pop at goal, but threw the ball wide to Mark Blanchard who had acres of space to go over on the wing.

Hull KR: Everitt; Molloy, Kitching, Taewa, Anderson; Walker, Yeaman; Aston Cochrane; Hayes, Slater, Fletcher, Charles. Subs (used): Blanchard, Dumham, Luckwell.

Cougars: Rushforth; Hooson, smith, Hughes, Lee; Robinson, Antonik; Slicker, Ramshaw, Boothroyd, Harrison, Leatham, Walker. Subs (all used): Seal, Murdock, Stevenson, James Walker.