Burgess has Good Tryday
JOE BURGESS bagged a brace as Hull KR heaped more pressure on horrendous Hull FC.
It was derby delight for the Robins as they raced in seven tries to roll their neighbours over.
The Black & Whites have lost six of their past seven games and found no relief on Good Friday.
Hull FC coach Tony Smith challenged his players to turn their slump around.
“We have to toughen up and accept the criticism we’re copping,” he said.
“We have to face up. No one else is going to turn it around for us.”
Hull KR racked up six tries during a 27-minute first-half spell with Burgess grabbing a pair.
The Black & Whites fought back gamely in the second half but the damage was done early.
Robins coach
Willie Peters said:
“Our first-half performance was outstanding.
“It took us a little bit to get a feel of how we planned to play. Once we did that we were extremely dominant.”
It took KR just 12 minutes to break through thanks to the brilliance of Tyrone May.
The stand-off dummied his way through to the line and found Mikey Lewis, who put Niall Evalds over.
Four minutes later they were in again, with a shift to the right seeing Burgess power over.
Hull FC had the stuffing knocked out of them early and in the 20th minute Evalds made them pay again.
The full-back broke through some weak defence and found Lewis, who beat three tackles to cross.
Jez Litten was unable to convert but the Robins were in control at 12-0.
It only took eight minutes for them to strike again, Peta Hiku finding space in the middle and setting up James Batchelor. And Hull KR rounded out the first half with their fifth try going to Hiku. Burgess was unleashed on the right and he found the Kiwi on the inside to touch down.
Litten finally nailed a conversion, increasing the lead to 22-0.
A minute before the break Hull FC’s left edge creaked again and Burgess had his second of the afternoon.
The Black & Whites were left at half-time with a mountain to climb.
Luck went their way in the 50th minute as Jayden Okunbor charged down Lewis’ kick to score the easiest of tries.
The comeback continued for Hull FC when Cam Scott barged over three minutes later.