The Black & Whites claimed their first Hull Derby win at Craven Park for five years, as an Adam Swift double in the second-half brought the bragging rights to the the West of the city.
Hull found themselves 6-0 down at the break after an error-ridden opening forty for both sides, but hit back in the second-half with Swift’s brace and Ligi Sao’s first score of the season.
Swift’s second of the game came in the final minutes of the contest, sending Hull’s traveling supporters in the North Stand into delirium.
Team News
Tex Hoy, Scott Taylor, Will Gardiner, Brad Dwyer all returned to feature in the seventeen, replacing Joe Lovodua, Ben McNamara, and Andre Savelio who all dropped out, while Jamie Shaul dropped to the 18th man spot.
Josh Griffin remained unavailable as he served the third game of his seven match suspension, while Mitieli Vulikijapani continued his recovery from knee surgery, and Liam Sutcliffe continued his recovery from a leg injury.
The Match
The Robins opened the scoring after four minutes when a last-gasp Mikey Lewis offload found Jack Walker, who pounced over the line against his former side. Milnes added the extras.
The majority of the rest of the first-half was formed by multiple missed chances from both sides, with the Black & Whites unable to get themselves on the scoreboard before the break.
Both Darnell McIntosh and Adam Swift found themselves with several chances on each edge, but could not pierce a stern Robins defence.
It did look as if Hull had their opening score after the half-time hooter had sounded when Jake Clifford ripped the ball away from Ethan Ryan in the in-goal area, but referee Ben Thaler ruled a knock-on.
Half-Time: Hull KR 6-0 Hull FC
It only took Hull four minutes of the second-half to get themselves on the scoreboard, as Adam Swift went over for a memorable Hull Derby play. Taking an offload from Cam Scott in his own half, the winger broke though, danced around Robins full-back Jack Walker, and touched down in front of the traveling FC fans. Clifford levelled things up with the boot.
Rowan Milnes looked to get the Robins back ahead on the 50 minute mark with a penalty kick from the forty metre line, but sent it wide.
Hull KR were reduced to twelve men just before the hour mark when Shaun Kenny-Dowall was sent from the field for a dangerous high-tackle on Jake Clifford.
The Black & Whites hit the front for the first time in the contest when Ligi Sao powered over with 15 minutes to go, smashing through the Rovers defence to set up a thrilling finale. Clifford converted.
And Hull secured their first Hull Derby win at Craven Park in the final minutes when Adam Swift got on the end of Danny Houghton’s cut-out pass to the left edge and dive over in the corner, setting off incredible scenes in the away end.
Full-Time: Hull KR 6-16 Hull FC
Squads:
Hull KR: Jack Walker, Ethan Ryan, Tom Opacic, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Ryan Hall, Mikey Lewis, Rowan Milnes, Rhys Kennedy, Jez Litten, George King, Jimmy Keinhosrt, Kane Linnett, Dean Hadley.
Interchange: Matt Parcel, Matty Storton, Luis Johnson, Sam Luckley
18th Man: Yusif Aydin
Hull FC: Tex Hoy, Adam Swift, Cam Scott, Carlos Tuimavave, Darnell McIntosh, Jake Trueman, Jake Clifford, Scott Taylor, Danny Houghton, Ligi Sao, Jordan Lane, Brad Fash, Joe Cator.
Interchange: Chris Satae, Jack Brown, Will Gardiner, Brad Dwyer
18th Man: Jamie Shaul
Scorers:
Hull KR Tries: Walker (4)
Hull KR Goals: Milnes (1/2)
Hull FC Tries: Swift (44,77), Sao (65)
Hull FC Goals: Clifford (2/2)
Peregrine Property Man of the Match: Jake Clifford
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