ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ

In an electric atmosphere at the KC, Hull FC suffered heartbreak against their cross-city rivals Hull KR, after their late fight-back was not enough to prevent a fourth consecutive defeat.

The bragging rights went to the east of the river despite Richard Agar’s side putting up a spirited display which could have ended in a last second victory, with the right bounce of the ball.

Agar was resigned to the defeat, but refused to blame his players, praising them for their efforts, and maintaining that his side matched Rovers in most respects.

β€œI thought our effort was tremendous”, the Hull FC coach explained, β€œTo get themselves from an 18-4 deficit to almost snatch the game was a tremendous effort. I thought we had the opportunities to win it.”

Rovers coach Justin Morgan was afterwards asked where the balance of power in Hull Rugby League was, and was happy to lean back and rely on statistics – in his time in charge the record is 6-3 to the Robins. Hull will be determined to change this for the positive in their next meeting in late July at Craven Park.

The writing was on the wall as early as the first seconds, as Hull’s kick off went straight through the in-goal area and dead. The black and whites did not even touch the ball before Michael Dobson switched the play with a high kick from left to right for Jake Webster to take a high catch and touch down for the try.

Although their start was slow, Hull managed to get themselves back into the game, after Briscoe managed to touch down, after a quality cross-field move. Unfortunately, Tickle was unable to convert the try.

It was a former Hull player who was to put Rovers back in front with the next score of the match, as Paul Cooke touched down after a handling error from FC had handed Rovers possession. And it was yet another handling error that allowed Rovers to increase their advantage straight after the break as Craig Hall turned over possession. From the ensuing move, Fox was able to pounce and enhance Rovers’ grip on the game.

Hull were not yet finished, and when Berrigan and Whiting reduced the deficit to just four points, following great tries, the last few minutes were not good for the fingernails of either set of fans.

The match had begun in a superb atmosphere, and the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ’s Children in Need mascot Pudsey Bear had paraded around the touchline as Hull FC’s official 2009 charity.

The ticket paying-public of 22,337 had already ensured a bumper day for the charity, but further donations put into the collection buckets mean that even more was made through the match. The game, and the donations, are something the city can be proud of.