HULL KR coach Craig Sandercock was pleased to see the calculated risk of playing Michael Dobson and Travis Burns come off in a 26-22 win over Castleford.
Dobson had been a major doubt in the run up to the match because of a tight hamstring, but defied the odds to play a significant role in the victory.
Like Dobson, Burns also came through late fitness tests, on a back injury, before proving an inspiration to his side at MS3 Craven Park.
Having seen the pair direct Rovers to their fourth win of the season, Sandercock was delighted to see his key play-makers shine against a gutsy Castleford side.
"They were very close to not playing," Sandercock said. "They both had late fitness tests before kick-off because the pitch was covered in snow on Saturday which prevented the fitness tests taking place then.
"They are our two key play-makers and I'd rather have them there than not.
"It wasn't a risk playing them as we gave them a thorough fitness test and they came through it.
"They are important parts of our plans and if there was any doubt they couldn't have got through the game, we wouldn't have played them.
"But this was an important game and we needed the two points.
"If our two best players can come through a fitness test and get through okay then I'll play them every time."
For the first time since a 32-26 win at Widnes last July, the match saw the Robins come through on the winning side after a close game.
Outscoring their opponents five tries to four, Burns, Kris Welham, David Hodgson, Josh Hodgson and Craig Hall all crossed for the hosts.
Kirk Dixon, Jake Webster, Richard Owen and Daryl Clark replied for Castleford, who came up just short despite holding a 16-14 lead at the interval.
"It is a relief to win a close game," Sandercock said. "I don't think we have won a close game for a while.
"We seem to win really easily or let games slip away like we did against Bradford, but I'm very pleased."
Sandercock was also happy to be going into the first derby of the season against Hull on the back of a win, but admits his side have several areas to improve.
However, after winning in tough conditions, he praised his players and their Castleford counterparts for putting on a good show.
"I want to compliment the players who played because it was freezing out there and the wind was blowing a gale," he said. "Both sides put on a reasonable game.
"I'd rather win by 60 points but a win is a win and in these tough conditions, we'll take it.
"We weren't at our best but it was good to tough out a close game like that with four points in it with 15 minutes to go. We deserved to win."
