Robins claim derby spoils

Briscoe: Scored second half brace to help Hull KR beat local rivals

Hull Kingston Rovers produced a terrific fightback to win 17-10 against city rivals Hull in their Super League derby at Craven Park.

Home side Rovers moved within a point of their neighbours in the table after two second half tries from ex-Hull full back Shaun Briscoe swung an exciting game in their favour.

Visitors centre Kirk Yeaman and opposite number Kris Welham, Super League's joint-leading try scorers, exchanged touchdowns in the first half as the sides were left deadlocked 4-4 at the break.

Martin Gleeson edged the visitors ahead shortly after the restart but Briscoe's brace, plus five points from the boot of Michael Dobson, turned the game around to lift Rovers into tenth spot.

Excitement

While it might have been one of the lowest scoring derbies in recent times, it lacked nothing in excitement in front of a sell-out crowd.

Yeaman broke the deadlock in the 15th minute after a pulsating, penalty-free opening when Sean Long sent him over for his 16th try of the season. Danny Tickle missed the conversion.

The try edged Yeaman one ahead of Rovers centre Welham, but the pair were back on level terms three minutes before half-time.

Following Scott Murrell's error-forcing tackle on Richard Whiting 20 metres from Hull's line, Rovers worked the ball to the left-hand side where Ben Galea sent Welham over before the normally reliable Dobson missed his conversion attempt.

Rovers would have been happy to reach half-time on level terms given the number of times they coughed up cheap possession.

After the break a moment of Joe Westerman brilliance helped edge Hull in front for the second time.

An outrageous dummy by the former Castleford player fooled Briscoe to create an opening for Gleeson to score. Tickle added the extras for a 10-4 lead.

Level

While the travelling fans cheered the try, they were left concerned moments later when influential play-maker Long left the field with a dislocated left shoulder.

And as Hull re-organised their defensive line Rovers drew level. Blake Green's dab through looked to have been diffused by Gleeson, but he dropped the ball and Briscoe pounced.

Dobson's kick made it 10-10 with 23 minutes to play before Green teased and twisted the Hull defence down the left to create an opening for Briscoe to touch down under the posts.

For the first time in the game Rovers led, as Dobson's second conversion made it 16-10.

And Dobson sealed victory three minutes from time as he made no mistake with his second attempt at a drop goal.