HULL KR coach Craig Sandercock praised his side's character and defensive resilience for securing their 100th Hull derby win with a 23-10 success.
Missing play-maker Michael Dobson because of his hamstring niggle, the Robins were led around the park superbly by Craig Hall as they battled through adversity to come out on top in the 218th derby.
Surviving five penalties and two goal-line drop-outs in a ten-minute spell before half-time, and the 37th-minute sin-binning of Graeme Horne, KR's best defensive display of the campaign was at the heart of the victory.
And Sandercock believes that resilience just before the break was the turning point and key to picking up the bragging rights.
"That spell before half-time went a long way to us winning the game," he explained.
"They got four or five penalties on the bounce and they seemed to be attacking our line non-stop. But we held firm and showed great defensive resolve.
"The players deserve credit for that because that set the platform for the win.
"It was a pretty special performance. To come through a lot of adversity like that is very pleasing."
With Travis Burns forced to go off because of a shoulder injury three minutes into the second half, the victory came at a cost.
It means Sandercock is likely to be without his first choice half-backs against Wigan on Monday, but having picked up his second derby win, the Aussie was delighted by the character shown, especially from Hall.
He added: "Craig did very well, as did 16 of his other mates. For Craig to jump in there without having trained in the halves and put in a performance like that, it's pleasing.
"Michael trained really well all week and he was fine, but at the end of training on Thursday he pulled up with his hamstring. Things were going well and then he pulled up, but it was good to get a win without Michael.
"Travis hurt his shoulder and he doesn't look too good for Monday either, again we'll have to assess the damage."
