Return to top spot drives on Hull FC to keep foot on the gas

The Black and Whites won  36-12 against Hull KR on Thursday night to avoid a third successive defeat and, in doing so, returned to the top of Super League.

They were tested early on but, after defeats to Huddersfield Giants and Leeds Rhinos, protected their line to go 18-0 up and produced an impressive victory.

“It was great, almost perfect,” said Taylor, the England hopeful who started his career with the Robins.

DIVING IN: Winger Steve Michaels scores Hull FCs fifth try in the Super League derby against Hull KR. Picture: Bruce Rollinson

“I thought we really dug in for 80 minutes.

“Obviously, we made a few errors in that first bit but defended our line like a champion team should defend their line.

“We reacted really well to that and got points off the back of it. Derbies are derbies, though, and form doesn’t matter.

“I’m proud of all the boys out there, everyone dug in and put the performance together. Now it’s about building towards Salford.”

Hull finish their regular season next Friday at Salford – where Taylor was on loan last season – before their Challenge Cup semi-final against another former club, Wigan Warriors.

They are also battling Wigan for the League Leaders’ Shield but the 25-year-old insisted: “I’m not worried about top of the league.

“I just want to keep winning every week and let the table look after itself.

“It’s about backing up your performances. Obviously, we went on a great run, then lost two games but a good team can get back on the road and put in a big effort like we did on Thursday.

“It’s important now we don’t put in an average performance at Salford next week worrying about the game the week after as that won’t be good enough.

“We just need to keep building our performances as we need to go into that Wigan game on the back of two really good wins.”

The likes of big-name stars Marc Sneyd, Mark Minichiello and Mahe Fonua excelled against Rovers but Taylor held special praise for Steve Michaels, the Australian whose two tries took him to eight in 18 games this season.

“I think Stevie’s been a bit of an unsung hero this year,” he said.

“The way he carries, the way he catches the ball, he’s one of the toughest wingers I’ve ever played with.”