Hull FC registered their highest derby score today in the Magic Weekend at Newcastle’s St James’ Park, coasting to a 46-20 victory against their cross-city rivals Hull Kingston Rovers, with Fetuli Talanoa registering a hat-trick of tries.
The two teams swapped early tries when Kirk Yeaman scored for Hull while Josh Mantellato replied for Hull KR, with Marc Sneyd and Mantellato both adding the goals.
But when Talanoa went over in the corner for his first try, Sneyd hit the post with his conversion attempt.
But Hull continued to forge ahead when Gareth Ellis scored on 25 minutes, and this time Sneyd’s conversion made the scored 16-6.
But the Robins came back into the game through Kieran Dixon, who intercepted a Yeaman pass near his own line and dashed 90 metres to touch down for a thrilling score, with Mantellato again adding the goal.
But Hull steadied the ship when Mark Minichiello forced his way over from close to the line and Sneyd again added the goal to give a half-time score of 22-12.
And they secured the victory with two early tries in the second half, the first by Talanoa after smart passing to the left, and the second – the best try of the game – when Leon Pryce broke from deep and was supported by Danny Houghton, who passed to Jordan Rankin for the try and a 34-12 scoreline.
The Robins refused to lie down, however, and they clawed their way back into the game when Ken Sio collected a Sneyd kick and ran almost the length of the field before passing to the supporting Dixon, who touched down for the try.
Mantellato missed the conversion, and then missed a conversion to his own try.
And that was as good as it got for Hull KR, as Hull emphasised their superiority with the two final tries of the game from Talanoa and Yeaman, with Sneyd adding both conversions.
A full report and photos from this game will feature in Monday’s edition of League Express.