Well done Hull Kingston Rovers, you are top dogs in Hull for this season, there can be no denying that, you’ve taken six points off us and deservedly so, you were the better team on each occasion.

However, in the final instalment of the trilogy of the most intense game anywhere in the Betfred Super League, the final score, I certainly believe, somewhat flattered you… Well maybe not flattered you, but was quite harsh on the Black & White side of this divided city.

The Robins went about things the right way at first, they came quickly out of the traps, took advantage of our mistakes and built up an unassailable lead in the opening quarter of the game, like any good side would do, given the amount of territory and possession that we gift wrapped for you and presented to you on a platter.

You scored your first three tries in about quarter of an hour, from then on, it took another hour for you to score your fourth try, despite your dominance and that owed much to the tenacity, guts and determination of the very young squad on the opposite side, yes you can only beat what is put in front of you and you did that, but you have to admit, it was about as far from the comfy ride you were expecting after 20 minutes, as it was possible to get.

The exhuberance of youth came flooding forward and seriously took that game to our big-spending, expensively assembled neighbours, no quarter was asked or given, instead a bunch of three teenagers and three players in their very early 20s stood up to your massive pack and international players and they gave as good as they got, in short, they left an indelible mark on the Hull Derby, arguably the most intense rivalry in world rugby league.

Logan Moy, Lewis Martin (who both scored tries), Davy Litten, Denive Balmforth, Will Gardiner, and Jack Charles can all, despite another defeat, walk with their heads a little bit higher today, because of their efforts, because make no mistake about it, earlier this year an 18-point deficit would undoubtedly have turned into a 40 or 50 point thumping, or even worse.

In his press conference afterwards, Willie Peters was very nice about Hull’s impressive youths and in his words “When they scored their 2nd try, it was definitely game-on.”

However, Rovers did the right thing, they didn’t panic, they did what they had to do to close the game out, but not without several squeaks on the way that I know had some hearts in mouths among Rovers fans, indeed when Davy Litten made his impressive break that set up Moy’s try, looking down from the press box at the top of the West Stand I saw one Rovers fan getting so nervous that he got hold of the hair of the young lady next to him and pulled it, such was his panic as his side appeared to be doing their best to throw away a commanding lead which was becoming rather more flimsy.

For large parts of that game, I am sure any Rovers fans who were there or watching on telly, would readily admit that these young guns imposed themselves on this match, in fact practically bullied this Top Four team and, seriously came of age in the pressure cooker atmosphere that is unique to the Hull Derby.

Simon Grix said in his press conference, “I think they are starting to look more like Super League players now, rather than just little boys.”

So, yes you are welcome to the bragging rights, the rugby league mad Kingston Upon Hull is definitely red and white territory for now, but I’ll guarantee it won’t remain like that for terribly long, not if a bunch of young lads in black and white have got anything to do with it, and that is something that we should all be celebrating and no mistake.

Written by Ian Judson (Site contributor & Hull FC fan)

Editors note: there will be a second post tomorrow from me looking at this from a KR fan’s perspective, thanks to Ian for providing this, and giving me something to respond to and work with.