THE NEED FOR SNEYD
Happy boss Brett hails his derby day destroyer
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HULL FC boss Brett Hodgson says Marc Sneyd’s game “went to another level” after the captain helped inspire a famous derby win.
The prolific scrum-half, 30, slotted a 73rd-minute drop goal to settle a thrilling clash with their bitter rivals Hull KR.
It proved the difference, but Hull – who had England star Jake Connor in inspiring form on his return from injury – still had to hold their breath at the end.
Brilliant
Hull FC loose forward Jordan Lane needed to charge down Rowan Milnes’ own drop goal attempt in the final seconds to finally make sure the hosts emerged from a four-game losing run and got back in the hunt for the play-offs.
With fans back savouring a derby for the first time in 18 months, Hodgson – the Australian coaching in one for the first time – said: “It was brilliant.
“People were so excited for it and you could sense something was brewing. It definitely lived up to expectations and the atmosphere was outstanding.
“Sneydy (right) did very well. He controlled his kicking game.
“It’s the best it’s been for a number of weeks and there were some pivotal kicks when he turned them around and got repeat sets,” added Hodgson.
“He was just really composed at the end and he showed his class with that field goal.
“It was a very difficult one from 35m out and he nailed what he had to do.
“But it was the first time he’d captained in the derby and I think he really revelled in that – it made him go to another level before Jordan came up with that big play at the end.” Hull had THREE tries chalked off and also lost Aussie star Josh Reynolds (knee) and loose forward Joe Cator (suspected ACL) to second-half injuries.
Business
But tries from
Bureta Faraimo (2),
Carlos Tuimavave and
Adam Swift, with Sneyd slotting three goals, did the business.
The victory moved them into sixth spot just behind their city rivals. KR boss Tony Smith had few complaints and he remained proud of his side’s valiant efforts – given how far they have come since finishing bottom last term. Rovers led 10-4 at one point after tries from Jimmy Keinhorst and a fine solo effort from Milnes, the young stand-off who dictated play for long periods with his own kicking game.
“I still think we’re heading in the right direction as a club and a team,” said Smith.
“Certainly in the time I have been at the club in the past, up until now, this team we wouldn’t have gone anywhere near Hull FC in this game.
“Even though we lost by one point. We will batten down the hatches and get on with it.
“They are good hard games to learn from and we will learn some lessons from it. We look forward to the next time we play.”
Ben Crooks and Albert Vete scored their other tries, with ex-hull star Crooks slotting three goals – but Sneyd had the last word.
HULL: Tries: Swift, Faraimo (2), Tuimavave. Cons: Sneyd (2). Pen: Sneyd. Drop goal: Sneyd.
HULL KR: Tries: Keinhorst, Milnes, Crooks, Vete. Cons: Crooks (3).