HULL KR cruised to victory in the first competitive derby of the season despite the absence of key play-maker Michael Dobson and a second-half injury to Travis Burns.
In an intense encounter at the KC Stadium, the Robins built a 12-point first-half lead on the back of three handling errors from Hull in their own half.
Rovers celebrated their 100th derby in style, beating Hull 23-10 in front of 19,064 at the KC Stadium.
And they did so with Graeme Horne sin-binned two minutes before half-time. They also overcame the loss of stand-off Travis Burns to a shoulder injury three minutes after the break. But Craig Sandercock's side were better in all departments as they made it four wins from their last five games.
As for Hull, it's just two wins from nine for Peter Gentle's side.
Tries from Josh Hodgson and Dave Hodgson gave Rovers a 12-0 lead at the interval of the 218th derby.
Hooker Josh Hodgson opened the scoring in the sixth minute in front of his supporters in the north stand as he spotted a gap to score from dummy half. With Michael Dobson out injured, Craig Hall kicked the conversion for a 6-0 lead.
Hall converted a 17th minute penalty to make it 8-0 as they enjoyed the early exchanges.
A slick move on Rovers' left hand side was finished off in style by Dave Hodgson after great hand speed by Hall to get the ball outside to Hodgson. Hall missed the conversion by Rovers led 12-0.
Hull were their own worst enemies when they managed to get close to KR's try line as errors cost them possession and chances to score. Graeme Horne found himself sin-binned for the second time this season by Steve Ganson after Rovers were put on a team warning late in the half. Hull fans felt Travis Burns should have already been on the sidelines for his high tackle on Ben Crooks when Hull looked set to score following a blistering Tom Briscoe break.
Rovers defence in the closing stages of the first half will have pleased coach Craig Sandercock ahead of the second half.
But it was Hull who got off to the perfect start in the second half with Ben Crooks scoring after just 78 seconds despite the best efforts of Greg Eden.
With Horne still in the sin-bin, Rovers cancelled that Crooks try out when Dave Hodgson scored his second of the game after good work by Kris Welham. It may not have been as dramatic as Hodgson's try at the Etihad a stadium last May but it sealed Rovers win. Kris Welham extended Rovers' lead with a try in the 63rd minute following Cory Paterson's assist. Welham thought he had scored a second but his opportunist try from the half-way line was disallowed for a knock on against man-of-the-match Hall. Hall added a drop goal eight minutes from time before Danny Tickle's late consolation try ended the scoring.
Teams:
Hull: Whiting, Lineham, Arundel, Crooks, Briscoe, Westerman, Horne, Bowden, Houghton, Watts, Galea, Tickle, O'Meley; Subs: Heremaia, Pitts, Johnson, Green
Rovers: Eden, Brown, Salter, Welham, DHodgson, Burns, Hall, Walker, JHodgson, Paea, Paterson, Horne, Mika; Subs: Lovegrove, Griffin, Carlile, Tuimavave
