One Hull of a start for new boy Hall
CRAIG HALL scored two tries on his return to Super League as Rovers ended seven successive derby defeats.
The full-back and centre Ben Crooks, another former Black and Whites favourite, have joined Rovers on loan from Championship outfit Leigh until the end of the season.
And Hall’s first-half double proved crucial as Rovers held on from Hull’s second-half fightback to record a confidence boosting win going into their end-of-season relegation battle.
Hull, seeking redemption after Sunday’s 72-10 Super League defeat at Wakefield, fell behind after only two minutes.
Hall, one of seven players on duty to have represented both Yorkshire clubs, touched down early on.
Aussie maverick Todd Carney made a debut for his third Super League club after serving Salford and Catalans, from the bench. But it was Hall, 30, who showed his value to his new club as he doubled his tally on 24 minutes, diving on the ball to complete a 95-metre move.
Former Hull forward Danny Tickle converted and then notched a century of Super League touchdowns just before the break.
There was still time for Hall to punish Josh Griffin’s high tackle with a 50-metre penalty after the hooter.
Jordan Abdull scored a scruffy 44th-minute try to begin the fightback and Maurice Blair’s yellow card for dissent proved costly as Rovers’ 12-men quickly conceded again via Griffin.
Marc Sneyd’s first conversion cut Hull’s deficit to six points.
And it was level with 24 minutes remaining as Mark Minichiello wriggled free and Sneyd goaled.
Tickle’s penalty at the start of the final quarter restored Rovers’ lead as Sneyd hit the post with an equalising penalty shot 10 minutes from time.
Tickle then eased Rovers’ nerves with a second penalty to make the game safe.