Hull KR overcome Hull FC in Magic Weekend derby

Betfred Super League Magic Weekend

Hull KR (12) 26

Tries: Lewis, Martin, Whitbread, May Goals: Martin 5

Hull FC (4) 12

Tries: Arthur, Briscoe Goals: Hardaker 2

A controversial Jai Whitbread try helped defending Super League champions Hull KR overcome city rivals Hull FC 26-12 on the first day of Magic Weekend at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Robins arrived at the home of Premier League club Everton for British rugby league’s showpiece weekend getaway looking for a statement victory against their closest of rivals after being thrashed by competition pacesetters Leeds Rhinos a week earlier.

And tries from Mikey Lewis and Rhyse Martin had Willie Peters’ side leading 12-4 at the break.

Jake Arthur grabbed Hull FC’s first-half response then sent Tom Briscoe over immediately after the interval to slash the Robins’ lead to two points.

A Zak Hardaker penalty restored parity, only for Hull KR to then resist merciless pressure and reclaim the advantage through Whitbread – who swooped on a loose ball near the tryline after Hull FC’s Lewis Martin was crunched in a tackle – before Tyrone May completed the victory.

May’s try made the win look more comfortable than it was, with the decisive moment coming when Hull FC players were compelled to swarm around referee Marcus Griffiths and argue that it was a Jez Litten shoulder charge that forced the ball from Martin’s grasp for Whitbread’s 67th-minute try.

The collision was reviewed by the television match official and allowed to stand, as Hull FC slumped to their seventh defeat in eight games.

More to follow.

Hull KR: Hampshire, Davies, Hiku, Gildart, Broadbent, Lewis, May, Sue, Litten, Whitbread, Batchelor, Martin, Minchella.

Interchanges: Booth, Lawton, Dezaria, Leyland, Wainhouse.

Hull FC: Moy, Briscoe, Hardaker, Litten, Martin, Arthur, Sezer, Ese’ese, Bourouh, Hill, Batchelor, Clark, Bell.

Interchanges: Cust, Salabio, Mata’utia, Cartwright, Laidlaw.

Referee: Marcus Griffiths.