Hull FC fell to defeat on a disappointing afternoon in East Hull in their Rivals Round fixture against Hull KR.
A try from Josh Reynolds wasn’t enough on an afternoon where Hull were second best, with a 12 point haul from Lachlan Coote claiming the points for Hull KR.
Team News
Brett Hodgson made two changes to his 17-man squad for the Rivals Round clash with Hull KR, with the returning Carlos Tuimavave making his second appearance of the season taking the place of Mitieli Vulikijapani, whilst Jordan Lane replaced Jordan Johnstone on the interchange bench.
Hodgson shuffled his deck around, with Josh Reynolds promoted into the starting 13 after starting last week’s fixture on the interchange bench, with Joe Lovodua lining up at loose forward and Jack Brown moving to the bench.
Tony Smith was forced into a single change to his 17 man squad, Mikey Lewis missing out through an injury picked up in the Robins Challenge Cup clash with Castleford. Jordan Abdull took his place at stand off with Ethan Ryan coming onto the wing and Jimmy Keinhorst rounding off the interchange bench for the hosts.
The Match
A nervy first half unfolded at Sewell Group Craven Park, in a match dominated by handling errors and penalties.
The first break of the match came for Hull KR midway through the half. Hull thought they had the hosts trapped in their own 20 before a big carry from Ryan Hall swung the tide, charging 60 meters upfield before he was halted by Jake Connor and Josh Reynolds midway through the Hull half. Hull forced an error from Rovers on the next, but came up with one of their own shortly later to hand over cheap possession that the Robins couldn’t make count.
However, it wouldn’t be long before they turned pressure into points. Lachlan Coote’s grubber kick on the last tackle was too strong for Shaun Kenny-Dowall but Ryan Hall was on hand to ground just before touch after a lengthy video referee check. Lachlan Coote was off target with his shot at goal.
Hull then struck back shortly later with their first attacking position of the game.
A patient set ended with Josh Griffin hitting a hole on the last tackle, and the centre had the presence of mind to offload to Josh Reynolds who raced away to score. Luke Gale hit the post with his conversion attempt to level the scores.
The Robins were next to have attacking position, as this time Shaun Kenny-Dowall was denied by the video referee. Rowan Milnes kicked on the last for Kenny-Dowall and Kane Linett but the deadball line came just too fast for the chasers as they were denied by the video referee.
There was a final chance of the half for the red & whites, but as the half-time hooter went Jordan Abdull pulled his drop goal attempt wide of the posts and the scores were level at the half time break.
Half Time: Hull KR 4 – 4 Hull FC
The Robins struck first in the second half through Lachlan Coote. Darnell McIntosh spilt a long kick by Jordan Abdull and on the first play Sam Wood managed to free himself and offload to Coote to dive over the line under the tackle of Chris Satae. Coote converted his own try to extend the lead.
A second try for the full-back followed shortly afterwards, Ethan Ryan making a break on a kick return, jinking his way through the Hull defence and passing to Coote to race away under the posts, converting his own try.
Hull continued to press the Rovers line, but when they were presented with the opportunity of back to back sets weren’t able to make that territory count.
A break from Danny Houghton brought Hull a slim chance of getting back in the game, but Ligi Sao tried one pass too many with the Rovers defence looking shaky.
From there, Hull KR had the composure to see the game out, kicking the ball to touch doing enough to claim the two points.
Full Time: Hull KR 16-4 Hull FC
The Lineups:
Hull KR: Lachlan Coote, Ethan Ryan, Sam Wood, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Ryan Hall, Rowan Milnes, Jordan Abdull, Will Maher, Matt Parcell, George King, Frankie Halton, Kane Linett, Elliot Minchella; Greg Richards, Matty Storton, Jez Litten, Jimmy Keinhorst
Hull FC: Jake Connor, Darnell McIntosh, Carlos Tuimavave, Josh Griffin, Adam Swift, Josh Reynolds, Luke Gale, Ligi Sao, Danny Houghton, Brad Fash, Andre Savelio, Manu Ma’u, Joe Lovodua; Chris Satae, Jack Brown, Jordan Lane, Kane Evans
Scorers:
Hull KR: Ryan Hall, Lachlan Coote | Coote 1/2
Hull FC: Josh Reynolds | Gale 0/1
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