By IAN JUDSON
ROVERS claimed the Hull Derby bragging rights in a fiercely contested match at Sewell Group Craven Park.
Having defeated Leeds Rhinos and Catalans Dragons in their previous two games, the Airlie Birds were undone by their own indiscipline in a match that was closer than the score suggests.
A 103rd try for Tom Briscoe for the Black and Whites gave them hope of a comeback with just a four point gap at halftime, but Hull were unable to capitalise on a promising start after the break.
Team news:
Jake Arthur dropped out due to a calf injury but this blow was softened for the Airlie Birds by the return of skipper Aidan Sezer.
Joe Batchelor also returned from injury to face his brother James in his first Hull Derby, taking the place of Connor Bailey who dropped to the bench.
Cade Cust returned after being suspended for the victory over Catalans Dragons, replacing Brad Fash on the bench.
The match:
A dropped ball gave the home side a scrum in Hull’s danger zone followed by a set restart and then a penalty in the early stages.
Hull kept giving their hosts territory and possession and finally Jack Broadbent cut through to score under the posts, goaled by Mikey Lewis.
Hull were handed field position from a knock on, followed by a penalty but then Lewis Martin was forced into touch.
The Airlie Birds were struggling to get a foothold as poor discipline kept handing the initiative to the home side.
The Robins extended their lead after yet another penalty as Oliver Gildart just forced his way over to give them a 10-point advantage.
A soft penalty gave Hull some much-needed territory and possession, but they were just held out thanks to some desperate defending.
It became a regular feature of Hull threatening the Rovers line, then undoing their hard work by giving the ball away, followed soon after by yet another penalty.
A break by Tom Briscoe put Hull in threatening position as Logan Moy was tackled head high, followed soon after by another penalty in the Robins danger zone.
However, the opportunity was wasted as Elliot Minchella was able to steal the ball in a one-on-one tackle.
Hull then established there were two sides in this game as winger Briscoe took in a wide pass to score as the half time hooter edged closer, Zak Hardaker added the conversion.
Hull started the second half in dominant fashion, with aggressive defence and the home side struggled to handle their kicking game as well.
A dropped ball by Dean Hadley put Hull on the front foot again and Lewis Martin forced his way over in the corner, but was controversially denied by a video review.
Rovers finally took a stranglehold as Tyrone May put Jez Litten through a gap to score under the posts, goaled by Lewis.
Rovers then controversially extended their lead as a knock-on by Lewis was missed in the build up to a try for Joe Burgess.
Burgess grabbed a second try in the closing minutes to put a harsh angle on the score against the visitors that they didn’t deserve.