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After a dismal 2023 season, Hull FC supporters would’ve been hoping for a significant improvement in the Round 1 Derby encounter against Willie Peters’ KR outfit.
But what transpired was a disaster for those of a Black and White Persuasion.
Tone-setter
Despite a number of new faces for either side, Rovers would have been buoyed from their historic 40-0 result at the MKM Stadium just ten months ago.
Ultimately, the tone was set straight away as FC saw centre Liam Sutcliffe withdrawn from the 13 through illness, and an initial strong carry from debutant Franklin Pele was probably viewed as one of a handful of highlights for Tony Smith – at the very best.
After Niall Evalds’ opening try after great work from Tom Opacic, the familiar cracks started to appear among the FC ranks. They began through fellow new man Herman Ese’ese’s sin-bin for a high tackle – just moments after Joe Cator was withdrawn with a hamstring problem.
Unsurprisingly, the Robins smelt blood, and added further insult with tries from Kepli Tanginoa and their man of the moment Mikey Lewis, before the aforementioned Pele was shown his marching orders following a reckless swing on Elliott Minchella to compound a miserable first 39 minutes in the jersey.
Seven of Hull’s nine penalty concessions also came in the opening 40, summing up their ill-discipline, on top of multiple errors – with their best chance of adding to the score coming through Jack Walker.
In truth, the 14-0 half-time scoreline flattered the hosts, which in part was down to KR full-back Peta Hiku only adding the extras in the latter of those scores.
Half-Time: Hull FC 0-14 Hull Kingston Rovers
Comfortable second period for the Robins
With a lot of damage already done, Rovers had their sights set on consecutive nillings as a somewhat better showing in the half’s opening exchanges still saw the hosts unable to force their way to the try line.
After Lewis Martin did superbly well to deny a score from Robins debutant Oliver Gildart, the visitors continued their unanswered scoring streak on 59 minutes through Matt Parcell.
Martin alongside Jayden Okunbor were the main outlets going forward for Tony Smith side in what remained of the encounter, but once again, KR’s defence were in strong form.
Hull’s misery was compounded in a second major flashpoint of the 244th Derby, as despite Parcell’s sin-bin, Ligi Sao saw FC’s player count reduced to 11 through retaliation.
And with the party already beginning in the North Stand of the MKM Stadium, Evalds scored his second try with 30 seconds to go, before James Batchelor was unable to convert his solitary kick.
Full-Time: Hull FC 0-22 Hull Kingston Rovers
Tony Smith issues brutal post-game verdict
Whilst those who travelled from the east of the River Hull could bask in the glory of a superb start to 2024, many of the 20,014 crowd – the highest on opening night for 17 years – will immediately be starting their inquests into what went wrong as their counterparts claim the bragging rights.
Former KR head coach Tony Smith was quizzed on his side’s inefficiencies just moments after the final whistle.
“Yes, loads did! (things that went against his side),” he told Sky Sports. “Some of it before the kick-off, with illness and disruption before we went out.”
“Certainly some of the on-field incidents disrupted us – losing Joe Cator early, having a send-off. I thought most of the players dug in when we were down to 12 men for most of the second half,” he continued.
“It wasn’t to be tonight. Our opposition deserved it, they did enough tonight. We’ll go back in and lick our wounds ready for the next game.”
When questioned further on the discipline of his side, Smith was far from impressed.
He added: “I didn’t think it was good from a lot of people. We’ve got to learn from that, we made it hard on ourselves at times there and let our emotions get the better of us.
“You can’t do that, that’s the beauty of our sport, you’ve got to be able to take care of your emotions and fight hard in the right manner, and we didn’t at times.
He concluded: “We’ll batten down the hatches and come back strong.”
Round 2 for Hull FC and Hull KR
Hull FC will look to right the wrongs of such a damning defeat right away, as they face another one of Smith’s former employers in Round 2 – travelling to the Halliwell Jones Stadium, in what will be Sam Burgess’ first Betfred Super League home game in charge of Warrington Wolves on Friday February 23rd.
Their last visit to Cheshire saw them beaten 34-6 in Round 7 of 2023.
As for the Robins, they face Leeds Rhinos at Sewell Group Craven Park next Thursday.
Having come within 80 minutes of Old Trafford last October, optimism is high in East Hull, and Peters’ men will be hoping for back-to-back wins to kickstart the campaign once again, with silverware of some sort the aim for many supporters.
The next meeting between these two bitter rivals comes on March 29th, when those from the West make the short trip journey across the City in search of revenge.
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