HULL KR 24 HULL FC 6
DAVE CRAVEN, Sewell Group Craven Park, Friday

JOE BURGESS scored twice after Jez Litten scampered in for the try that settled the 250th derby in Hull KR’s favour.

But Hull FC, who had been 10-0 down early on, were left rueing a video referee decision that crucially worked against them.

They were adamant that Lewis Martin had touched down in the corner in the 48th minute after a fine assist from Davy Litten.

Referee Aaron Moore awarded the score on the field – which could have left them 12-10 up – but, after countless replays, video official Liam Rush ruled the prolific winger had lost control of the ball.

Hull also lost influential loose forward John Asiata moments before as he suffered a hamstring injury when stretching to juggle possession.

And champions Rovers, who had won just twice in Super League all season, made the most of the let-off, powering on to victory in a typically fiery derby affair.

Some individual brilliance from Tyrone May saw the ex-Penrith halfback slip through the middle past Ligi Sao and James Bell before delaying his pass perfectly to allow Litten to dive over in the 57th minute.

Mikey Lewis took offence to Martin’s last-ditch attempt to deny the England hooker, sparking a huge melee behind the posts.

Rovers, who have now won seven successive derbies against FC, confirmed the win when England winger Burgess grabbed his late brace.

The excellent May and Oliver Gildart were involved again as their side prospered in their first outing since treble-winning boss Willie Peters announced he’d be leaving at the end of the season for PNG Chiefs.

Rovers, in fairness, had dominated much of the first period despite playing into a strong wind.

However, they only led 10-6 after Hull scored with a rare chance in the 37th minute, veteran winger Tom Briscoe latching on to Aidan Sezer’s perfect floated cut-out pass.

Zak Hardaker booted the conversion leaving Rovers with only a slender advantage.

Hull had been mistake-ridden in the opening exchanges, Martin and Asiata both spilling cheaply in their own 20 to invite KR pressure.

Harvie Hill and Sao both dished out high tackles, too, so it was little surprise the hosts worked into a 10-0 lead.

Lewis probed from the off and he was the creator of the game’s first try, sucking in Hull defenders on the last tackle before slipping Jack Broadbent through with a lovely inside ball in the tenth minute.

England star Lewis converted and, though Martin was denied by Broadbent at the other end, KR were soon in again.

This time it was Gildart with a fine pick-up off his boot laces and smart finish in the 18th minute against a stretched Hull defence.

Sam Lisone brought some fire from the FC bench, flattening Litten with his first carry but also getting involved in a skirmish with Elliot Minchella.

And a brilliant diagonal run from Briscoe saw Logan Moy only denied by Burgess’ flailing high tackle.

James Batchelor was also called upon to make a try-saving tackle on Bell so it was perhaps no surprise when John Cartwright’s side did finally cross via Briscoe. But KR soon took control.

GAMESTAR: Tyrone May oozes class at halfback and he worked his magic again.

GAMEBREAKER: Once Jez Litten went over there was no way back for FC.

HIGHLIGHT REEL: Peta Hiku’s huge hit on James Bell in the 61st minute was a beauty.

ALBERT GOLDTHORPE POINTS
3 pts Tyrone May (Hull KR)
2 pts Jack Broadbent (Hull KR)
1 pt Jez Litten (Hull KR)

MATCHFACTS

HULL KR
14 Jack Broadbent
2 Tom Davies
3 Peta Hiku
4 Oliver Gildart
5 Joe Burgess
6 Mikey Lewis
7 Tyrone May
8 Sauaso Sue
9 Jez Litten
10 Tom Amone
11 Dean Hadley
12 James Batchelor
13 Elliot Minchella
Subs (all used)
15 Sam Luckley
16 Jai Whitbread
18 Jack Brown
19 Karl Lawton
18th man (not used)
21 Noah Booth
Also in 21-man squad
24 Jack Charles
26 Harvey Horne
29 Tom Whitehead

Tries: Broadbent (10), Gildart (18), Litten (57), Burgess (69, 79)
Goals: Lewis 2/5

HULL FC
24 Logan Moy
19 Tom Briscoe
21 Arthur Romano
3 Davy Litten
5 Lewis Martin
4 Zak Hardaker
7 Aidan Sezer
18 Ligi Sao
9 Amir Bourouh
10 Harvie Hill
11 Joe Batchelor
15 James Bell
13 John Asiata
Subs (all used)
14 Cade Cust
16 Sam Lisone
22 Connor Bailey
25 Matty Laidlaw
18th man (not used)
27 Callum Kemp
Also in 21-man squad
6 Jake Arthur
29 Will Hutchinson
31 Ryan Westerman

Tries: Briscoe (37)
Goals: Hardaker 1/1

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 10-0, 10-6; 16-6, 20-6, 24-6

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Hull KR: Tyrone May; Hull FC: Tom Briscoe

Penalty count: 9-9
Half-time: 10-6
Referee: Aaron Moore
Attendance: 12,325