HULL KR 26 HULL FC 12
JAMES CHESTNEY, Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool, Saturday

HULL KR claimed their eighth successive derby victory – and a first at Magic Weekend since 2014.

The men from the east of the city took the 251st Hull derby spoils on a balmy afternoon on the banks of the Mersey but were given a real test by FC, who won the four Magic clashes between the rivals at its previous home, St James’ Park.

Rovers triumphed without Dean Hadley and Tom Amone, with Hadley failing his HIA in the previous week’s defeat at Leeds and Amone suffering a fractured eye socket. 

Hull FC made three changes to the side defeated by Wigan Warriors last time out with James Bell and Cade Cust returning alongside Lennon Clark, who made his first start for the club. The trio replaced Harvey Barron (HIA), Will Hutchinson and Matty Laidlaw, who went to 18th man.

The teams emerged under the fireworks and pyrotechnics looking to claim those vital bragging rights ahead of another clash at the MKM Stadium later in the month. 

In a tense first half where both sides blew chances to get ahead it was Rovers who came out the strongest as they bagged the first score in the corner by Mikey Lewis and then backed it up with a Rhyse Martin try off a slick Lewis pass.

The PNG man could only add one conversion though, when he improved his own try. 

FC did hit back with a jinking Jake Arthur run as he outsmarted the Rovers defence to score, but Zak Hardaker couldn’t add the extras. 

The final score of the half saw Martin add a penalty goal to give his side a 12-4 half-time lead.

Hull FC started the second half in good form and it took them just three minutes to reduce the deficit as Arthur threw a cut-out pass to Briscoe and he went over in the corner. 

Hardaker added a fantastic touchline conversion to get his side within two points, with the veteran centre attained with a penalty bang in front of the sticks on the hour mark.

Rovers thought they’d hit back though as Lewis played in Jack Broadbent to dive in the corner, but in the act of grounding the ball he was tackled into touch. 

However just minutes later Lewis Martin lost the ball in a tackle and Jai Whitbread gathered it to go over the line. 

Rhyse Martin added the extras and Rovers just needed to hang on for the final twelve minutes to make it eight successive derby wins.

The Robins wrapped up their victory with seven minutes remaining as Jez Litten put in a deft grubber kick and the chasing Tyrone May gathered the ball inside the in-goal to ground it and, with Martin adding another goal, the two points were heading to East Hull.

Just to round off a fruitful afternoon for Hull KR back-rower Martin, he added a further penalty goal in the final minute.

GAMESTAR: Rhyse Martin worked hard throughout the afternoon and added vital points when it mattered.

GAMEBREAKER: Jai Whitbread’s try with twelve minutes to go gave Rovers a vital lead which they then added to. 

HIGHLIGHT REEL: Jake Arthur’s cutout pass for Tom Briscoe to claim his score.

ALBERT GOLDTHORPE POINTS
3 pts Rhyse Martin (Hull KR)
2 pts Mikey Lewis (Hull KR)
1 pt Jake Arthur (Hull FC)

MATCHFACTS

HULL KR
34 Ryan Hampshire
2 Tom Davies
3 Peta Hiku
4 Oliver Gildart
14 Jack Broadbent
6 Mikey Lewis
7 Tyrone May
8 Sauaso Sue
9 Jez Litten
16 Jai Whitbread
17 Rhyse Martin
12 James Batchelor
13 Elliot Minchella
Subs
19 Karl Lawton
20 Jordan Dezaria
21 Noah Booth (not used)
22 Bill Leyland
18th man (not used)
30 Cobie Wainhouse
Also in 21-man squad
23 Lee Kershaw
24 Jack Charles
26 Harvey Horne

Tries: Lewis (4), Martin (10), Whitbread (67), May (73)
Goals: Martin 5/6

HULL FC
24 Logan Moy
19 Tom Briscoe
3 Davy Litten
4 Zak Hardaker
5 Lewis Martin
6 Jake Arthur
7 Aidan Sezer
8 Herman Ese’ese
9 Amir Bourouh
10 Harvie Hill
11 Joe Batchelor
36 Lennon Clark
15 James Bell
Subs (all used)
12 Jed Cartwright
14 Cade Cust
26 Hugo Salabio
38 Jeremiah Mata’utia
18th man (not used)
25 Matty Laidlaw
Also in 21-man squad
27 Callum Kemp
29 Will Hutchinson
32 Lloyd Kemp

Tries: Arthur (27), Briscoe (43)
Goals: Hardaker 2/3

SCORING SEQUENCE: 4-0, 10-0, 10-4, 12-4; 12-10, 12-12, 18-12, 24-12, 26-12

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Hull KR: Rhyse Martin; Hull FC: Jake Arthur

Penalty count: 9-6
Half-time: 12-4
Referee: Marcus Griffiths