Hull FC 36-18 Hull KR

Hull FC (16) 36
Tries: Yeaman 2, Long, Gleeson, Whiting, Briscoe
Goals: Tickle 6
Hull KR (12) 18
Tries: Cook, Welham, Cockayne
Goals: Dobson 3

Hull KR's Ben Fisher is tackled by Hull FC's Danny Houghton (left) and Ewan Dowes

Martin Gleeson scored a debut try as Hull FC edged out Hull KR in a pulsating derby.

Two early scores apiece had the sides level at 12-12, before Gleeson barged over to finish a crossfield move and give the hosts a 16-12 half-time lead.

Sustained home pressure saw them denied on the line three times until Richard Whiting finally extended the advantage.

Ben Cockayne's try cut the deficit, but Kirk Yeaman and Tom Briscoe sealed it for the Black and Whites.

Rovers may feel that those late scores flattered the home side, but the contest could have over much sooner had Gleeson, twice, and Whiting not been prevented from scoring as Hull FC pressed in the second half.

The positives to be taken from some stout defending aside, Rovers coach Justin Morgan is left to ponder a fifth defeat in six games, which was also witnessed by de-registered Australian Willie Mason.

The exchange of scores in the first period saw Yeaman go over in the corner for the hosts after Briscoe's brilliant break, before Matt Cook waltzed through to level.

Shaun Long's clever dummy allowed him to burrow over for his first try of the season and restore the home lead, only for Kris Welham, fed by the returning Michael Dobson, to again level for Rovers.

It was Gleeson, who joined the Black and Whites after being released by Wigan, who gave Richard Agar's men a lead that they would not surrender.

The ball was worked to the left and then back to the right, with Gleeson barging through two tackles to touch down in the corner.

Danny Tickle missed the conversion, but was successful with his six other kicks in glorious sunshine at the KC Stadium.

With their early second-half dominance going unrewarded, it looked as though the hosts may rue their profligacy, especially when Briscoe was forced to make a stunning try-saving tackle to deny Peter Fox.

But Whiting finally managed to squeeze over in the corner for a pressure-releasing score after being fed by Long.

Cockayne jinked through to give the visitors hope, Dobson slotting his third successful kick, but Yeaman's score in the corner and Briscoe's burst ensured that the Black and Whites took the Hull bragging rights.

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Hull FC coach Richard Agar:
"Martin Gleeson was class but unfit. He was blowing at times. He looked dangerous and caused his opposite number problems.

"His talent is not disputed and it was a world-class take for his try. He came through it all right and he'll certainly add to our team.

"We were flat last week but certainly not today. Both teams were tremendous and the weight of possession that went our way eventually told. We had our foot on their throat for a while and some of their last-ditch defence was unbelievable.

"Our message was to keep doing what we were doing and they would crack. We tried to build the game up as an enormous game with no hiding place. On occasions like this you need to stand up and be counted and we did."

Hull KR coach Justin Morgan:
"We didn't have enough field position. We got there four or five times and scored some tries.

"At different times we defended our line well. A lot of teams would have rolled over earlier than us. Our effort and spirit was great.

"We didn't get a call all day, the bounce of the ball didn't go our way and that made it backs to the wall."

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Hull FC: Phelps, Whiting, Gleeson, Yeaman, T. Briscoe, Horne, Long, O'Meley, Houghton, Moa, Manu, Tickle, Fitzgibbon.

Replacements: Obst, Westerman, Dowes, Lauaki.

Hull KR: Cockayne, Latus, Welham, Webster, Fox, Green, Dobson, Vella, Hodgson, Clinton, Cook, Galea, Murrell.

Replacements: Lovegrove, Taylor, Netherton, Fisher.

Att: 19,754

Referee: Phil Bentham (Warrington)