The Verdict: Purple patch enough to get scrappy Hull KR past Leigh Centurions

Hull KR booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup after surviving a late scare to see off Leigh Centurions 24-18.

In-form Leigh were out to prove a point in their first game against Super League opposition since their relegation but a first-half purple patch was enough to send Rovers through.

KR reporter James O’Brien delivers the verdict from Craven Park.

For the fourth time in six years, Leigh were standing between the Robins and a place in the latter stages of the Challenge Cup.

Tony Smith's side were highly fancied to book a quarter-final spot against a team that dropped out of Super League at the end of last year.

Rovers got the job done in a scrappy contest but they are still striving for an 80-minute performance in 2022.

In the end, a strong finish to the first half by KR was the difference between the sides.

Frankie Halton, Mikey Lewis and Matt Parcell all scored during that period as Rovers played the kind of rugby that took them to the Super League play-offs last season.

But the 2021 Robins made only a fleeting appearance and Smith's men were left hanging on in the closing stages as Leigh threatened the unlikeliest of comebacks.

KR held on to progress to the last eight but they have been left with plenty to work on heading into a vital period in Super League.

Smith made five changes to the team beaten by Catalans Dragons with Ben Crooks, Will Maher and Rowan Milnes all making their first appearance of the year.

Rovers made a sluggish start in glorious sunshine at Craven Park and found themselves 2-0 down after 11 minutes when Ben Reynolds knocked over a penalty.

The Robins were struggling to handle Leigh's middles and had to dig in on their own line after the visitors forced a series of