Conner Gilbey scored two tries to help Hull FC Reserves onto a 24-10 victory in the Derby at Brantingham Park last night.
Connor Moore opened the scoring for Hull KR, but Hull responded strongly with a trio of tries through Marcus Walker, Gilbey and Harvey Barron.
Mackenzie Harman’s try just after the break further increased the deficit, before Connor Barley got the visitors back into the contest after a flurry of Robins’ attacks.
But it was Gilbey who rubber stamped the win with a try in the closing stages, sealing the victory for FC in the first Reserves Derby in five years.
The Match
A sloppy start to the game from Michael Shenton’s side gifted cheap territory to the visitors and prop forward Moore drew first blood as he crashed over the whitewash underneath the uprights.
Having wrestled their way back into the ascendency, Hull got on level terms when Davy Litten picked the perfect pass to send Walker over the line from close range on the right edge.
Ten minutes later, the Black & Whites hit the front thanks to a powerful effort from second-rower Gilbey, snaking out an arm to dot down on the white line.
Hull cashed in for a third time during their first-half purple patch as Litten chimed into the line once again to feed Barron in the right corner.
HALF-TIME: Hull 14-6 Robins
The Black & Whites extended their lead to fourteen points just five minutes after the break when Harman demonstrated his ball-running ability with a lovely show and go to pierce through the KR defence.
Hull KR were invited back into the contest after a Sam Richards sin-bin for FC, but they couldn’t capitalise on some great opportunities as the referee chalked off three tries for the visitors – two for forward passes and one for a Tom Wilkinson knock on over the try line.
But the dam eventually burst after seemingly endless pressure, Connor Barley taking a long pass out to the left edge to stroll in at the left corner.
Despite losing some key players through injury throughout the match, Hull ended the match strongly and crossed for a fifth try when Gilbey was put through a hole in glorious style.
FULL-TIME: Hull 24-10 Robins
Squads & Scorers
Hull: Litten, Martin, Wacokecoke, Walker, Barron, Harman, Rutland, Gardiner, Balmforth, Gibson, Gilbey, Stewart, Burrell
Hull Interchanges: Bursell, Mafi, Petrie, Richards
Hull Tries: Walker, Gilbey (2), Barron, Mackenzie
Hull Goals: Rutland (2/5)
Robins: Laula-Togagae, Barley, H Moore, Gorman, Kirkbright, Rusling, Potter, C Moore, Verity, Cullen, Wilkinson, Pratt, Maull
Robins Interchanges: Beet, Cooper, Price, Tennison
Robins Tries: C Moore, Barley
Robins Goals: Rusling (1/2)
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