On this day 13 years ago, Hull FC took on Hull KR in the first Hull Derby of the Super League era – Club Historian Bill Dalton recalls that famous clash in front of 23,000 people at a packed KCOM Stadium.
Easter Monday in 2007 saw the KCOM Stadium stage the first competitive Hull Derby since 1997 after Rovers had gained promotion to the Super League. In turn, Hull had been runners-up in the Super League Grand Final after finishing in second place in 2006. Thus, the respective supporters had thought of nothing else, and for the Black and White majority, victory in the end was much sweeter because, in reality, Rovers had pushed Hull right to the last few moments before conceding the try scored by Syd Domic that finally finished them off.
Hull were able to include Paul Cooke, who had been out injured for the previous six matches and there was little doubt that he proved the difference between the foes. His distribution set up three of Hull’s four tries.
PICTURE BY BEN DUFFY/SWPIX – Engage Rugby Super League, Hull FC v Hull KR- 09/04/07..Hull FC’s Paul Cooke dumps Hull KR’s Scott Murrell
Hull hit the lead after only six minutes when Cooke’s 20-metre pass set Gareth Raynor on his way to set up Danny Tickle for the opening try. Twelve minutes later Cooke put Shaun Briscoe through on the burst. Cooke added the conversions to both and it was shortly before the interval before James Webster created a n opening for Luke Dyer to put Rovers on the scoreboard. Halftime: 12-4
On 49 minutes, Cooke produced yet another long cut-out pass for Aussie Matt Sing to score wide out before Rovers then produced a fightback which, with 20 minutes to go, drew them to within a couple of points adrift of Hull.
PICTURE BY Ben Duffy-Engage Rugby Super League, Hull FC v Hull KR- 09/04/07..Copryright-SWpix 01943608782..Hull FC’s Danny Tickle (centre) is congratulated on scoring
A bad mistake by Shaun Briscoe allowed Rovers to set up a position for Tangata-Toa to score and on 60 minutes, Andreas Bauer punished another error by Matt Sing. The conversion failed so it was 16-14. Near the end a loose ball was fly-kicked on by Danny Ward who looked a likely scorer near the posts, but, alas for him, the ball decided to do its own thing and Briscoe saved the situation.
Right on time,. A tired Rovers defence allowed Syd Domic in and Cooke completed his afternoon with the conversion.
Hull: S.Briscoe; M.Sing, S.Domic, K.Yeaman, G.Rayner; P.Cooke, R.Horne; E.Dowes, R.Swain, P.King, L.Radford (Capt), W.Manu, D.Tickle.
Subs: M.Tony, D.Washbrook, H.Maiava, S.Wheeldon
Tries: Tickle, Briscoe, Sing, Domic. Goals: Cooke 3
Rovers: J.Goddard; J.Steel, L.Dyer, A.Bauer, B.Ford; S.Murrell, J.Webster: M.Aizue, B.Fisher, M.Vella, J.Netherton, C.Chester, S.Gene.
Subs: D.Tangata-Toa, T.Gallagher, J.Gannon, D.Ward
Tries: Dyer, Tangata-Toa, Bauer. Goal: Murrell
Referee: S.Ganson (St Helens)
Attendance: 23,002
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