Josh Simm scored a match-winning debut try as Hull claimed a thrilling 34-28 derby success over gutted Hull KR.
The St Helens winger was one of three emergency loan signings brought in with Hull missing 12 players at Magic Weekend. But at 28-26 down, he scored in the 67th minute to immediately catapult himself into FC folklore. It was tough on KR who had Mikey Lewis score a brilliant hat-trick in caretaker coach Danny McGuire’s first game since Tony Smith’s sacking.
They also saw a late Elliot Minchella effort ruled out - one of FOUR disallowed - while Lachlan Coote crucially missed four of his six attempts on goal. Hull captain Luke Gale nailed all seven of his kicks. On-loan Warrington second-row Ellis Longstaff scored two tries on his Hull debut while the third loanee - Leeds full-back Jack Walker - won man-of-the-match.
Hull also handed debuts to teenage Academy products Matty Laidlaw and Charlie Severs. Joe Lovadua and Connor Wynne scored their other tries as they ended a four-match losing run. Boss Brett Hodgson said: “It was quite a game.
“As a club we’ve faced some adversity these last six weeks with players not being available. That was a catalyst for a little bit of change and those guys who came in were pivotal. The two debutants from our own system were excellent and the three boys who came in from different clubs were outstanding. It was a great win.”
Hull were 26-18 ahead when their prop Brad Fash was sin-binned for an alleged crusher tackle on Matt Parcell in the 55th minute. By the time he returned, livewire Lewis had scored twice more to complete his treble and leave KR leading by two points. But it wouldn't be enough.
Rovers, who gave a debut to 17-year-old forward Zach Fishwick and were missing plenty themselves, lost Frankie Halton to a fractured collarbone early on. Parcell, Sam Wood and Jimmy Keinhorst scored their other tries. McGuire said: “Obviously, I’m disappointed. But the overriding feeling is pride. I asked for effort and commitment and they showed loads of that.
"We just had a few lapses defensively which cost us. But there were some great stories in there - for both sides. That’s what we want to see.”
