Robins coast to derby glory

Rovers sign off in style with emphatic win over local rivals

Last updated: 7th September 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Robins coast to derby glory

Hull KR: Celebrations

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Hull KR signed off their campaign in style with a third derby victory of the season over neighbours Hull at Craven Park on Sunday.

The Robins were always in control and ran in six tries in a convincing 36-8 triumph in front of a record crowd of 10,197.

The result means Justin Morgan's men finish in seventh spot in their second season back in the top-flight, while their opponents - whose minds were still seemingly sidetracked by their Challenge Cup defeat to St Helens a week ago - end the year in 11th.

Jon Steel, Makali Aizue, Ben Cockayne, Peter Fox, Michael Vella and Stanley Gene all crossed for Rovers, while Kirk Yeaman claimed Hull's points with two tries.

The hosts quickly found their feet and, inspired by some strong early running from the ageless Stanley Gene, they forged ahead in the ninth minute when Steel cruised over in the corner after being sent in by Jake Webster - Michael Dobson converted for what was to be the first of his five goals.

With Rovers turning the screw, Hull struggled to stay with their opponents and made a number of handling errors.

A Dobson penalty extended the lead to eight before two disciplinary lapses from Hull's Jamie Thackray presented the hosts with two further tries.

On both occasions Thackray was penalised for dissent allowing Rovers to find excellent field position and Aizue was the first to take advantage as he bulldozed over for a close-range score on the half-hour mark.

Complete control

Just five minutes later Cockayne got on the end of Dobson's neat kick to touch down and put his side in complete control.

Both tries came with the approval of Ashley Klein, who made history by becoming the first video referee at a non-televised match.

Yeaman did reduce the deficit just before the interval after some good work from former Hull KR captain James Webster - who was making his long-awaited Hull debut.

It was Rovers who again set the pace after the restart, but Hull who claimed their second try on 51 minutes with Yeaman profiting from more Webster magic, and a neat pass from Danny Washbrook, to cross the whitewash.

It was to be their last moment of note, though, as the hosts made their domination count in the closing stages.

Fox scored in the corner after a superb long pass from Paul Cooke before Vella powered over from just a few yards out.

Gene then put a gloss on proceedings for Rovers as he claimed a deserved try by touching down Cooke's kick, with Ben Fisher adding the extras.