Hull KR resist 12-man Hull FC to win derby thriller

Betfred Super League

Hull FC (4) 14

Goals: Pryce, Briscoe, and Ashworth

Hull KR (16) 28

In a fiery derby between Hull KR and Hull FC, cadet Cust received the first red card of the Super League season.

After 16 minutes, when league leaders KR were in front through an Oliver Gildart try in the meeting of the top two, the Australian stand-off was sent off for a shoulder barge to Arthur Mourgue’s face.

The Black and Whites’ only option was Jack Ashworth, who appeared to have given them the upper hand as Peta Hiku and Arthur Mourgue appeared to have established a stronghold in the hands of the Robins.

The fact that referees could keep their red cards in their pockets helped the sport and its safety record significantly. There were seven dismissals in this period of the season last year.

Cust, who had been playing for Hull FC for 15 years, shoulder-barged Mourgue’s head as the France full-back fielded a kick behind the posts, leaving the official Luke Moore with no choice.

The Robins were already in front at that point when Mikey Lewis, back from injury, delivered a powerful pass that sent Gildart running clear.

Cust’s rush of blood, which was used by KR after an overload down their left, gave them a huge advantage after more than three-quarters of the game.

As Ashworth ran into Aidan Sezer’s grubby kick before two defenders, Mourgue, who had recovered from a head injury assessment following Cust’s challenge, scampered over for a 12-point half-time lead, gave his side something to cheer for.

The Black and Whites threw the ball around with brilliant abandon in the second half, scoring Briscoe for a superb take and finish, and it was obvious that they were on fire in the second half.

The video ref’s sighting of KR players ripping the ball out made it even more successful for Hull FC to score two points as Rapana made another quick passing move to swerve inside and score.

Hull FC’s efforts soon began to speak, and Rovers pounced as their opponents got tired, even though KR appeared rattled and the home crowd was bouncing.

With James Batchelor back from injury and carving inside to extend the lead, they responded with some champagne rugby of their own, keeping the ball alive.

John Cartwright, the head coach of Hull FC, told BBC Radio Humberside:

When you’re playing 13 on 12, there are a few different circumstances. You should try to stay focused and keep the scoreboard close in the end. It was a fantastic effort to have a chance to win the game in the second half.

There were “a few things that really went against us,” the referee said, “and after the Cade Cust incident, I believe there were some punches thrown, and players were very vocal.”

The kicker was beaten to the ground by Johnny Asiata, who received a penalty 60 yards downfield. When Liam Knight was attempting to pick it up, he was taken off the ball. We were really hurt by both of those incidents.

[On the red card] “I do have a problem with the red card generally because I believe Cade was going for the ball very hard and didn’t have much time to pull out of it.

Willie Peters, the head coach of Hull KR, told BBC Radio Humberside:

Credit FC, they were outstanding, they forced us to the limit, and it was “dead set,” according to Credit FC.

“It pleased me how our players were able to advance beyond our current level in the final 20 minutes.”

People say that losing teaches you a lot of things, and that they also learn a lot from playing games like that.

Ashworth, Balmforth, Eseh, Ashworth, and Aydin are the exchanges.

Sent-off: Cust (16).

Mourgue, Davies, Hiku, Gildart, Gildart, Gildart, Gildart, May, Lewis, Sue, J Litten, Waerea-Hargreaves, Batchelor, Hadley, Minchella, and others in Hull KR.

Luckley, Whitbread, Broadbent, and Tanginoa are exchanges.