Hull FC 44-18 Hull KR

Correspondent

Hull FC powered to their first derby win of the season with a strong second-half performance.nnWith a Challenge Cup Semi-Final next weekend the win sets up Hull perfectly as they forgot their three derby defeats this season to claim an important 2 points.nnHull KR lined up without controversial stand-off Paul Cooke as he was withdrawn from the squad amid intense speculation and rumours about his future at the club.nnThe Robins responded to the talk by scoring the first try of a gripping first-half when Galea forced his way over, with Dobson converting in the place of the absent Cooke.nnGreat defence from Cockayne denied Hull FC a quick response but they leveled the tries up soon after through winger Tom Briscoe.nnCockayne ensured the home-side weren’t celebrating for long as he replied immediately, only for Wheelden to pull FC back into the match when he finished of Berrigan’s break.nnHull KR continued the see-saw nature of the match as they again scored, with Chaz I’Anson touching down Dobson’s neat kick.nnYeaman’s score just before half-time gave the home-side momentum over half-time and they took full advantage of it, ensuring the losing run to their local neighbours would be ended.nnHull FC crucially ended the you-score-we-score structure of the game five minutes into the second-half as Horne gratefully accepted the ball from Jon Steel as he dropped Washbrook’s testing kick.nnMatt Sing then scored from a superb kick as Steel was again found wanting before Berrighan set Yeaman up to add another against the flailing Rovers.nnBriscoe scored his second with a wonderfully taken length of the field try and he was followed over late on by Hall, who ensured it would be an emphatic home win for Hull FC which further dents their neighbour’s play-off ambitions.