Super League play-offs: Hull FC 4 Hull KR 21

HULL KR picked the perfect time to deliver their first-ever play-off win as they gloriously eased past Hull FC in the biggest derby in 30 years.

They may have lost out against their arch-rivals in both regular rounds of Super League this season but it mattered little tonight as they performed a ruthless destruction of Richard Agar's side in the sudden-death eliminator.

Billed as the most crucial contest between the sides since Rovers' 1980 Challenge Cup final at Wembley, the gutsy visitors came out on top courtesy of some fantastic forward play from Joel Clinton, Mick Vella and Clint Newton.

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Shaun Briscoe was also a rock at the back as Rovers - who lost both games in their first play-offs attempt last season - out-muscled and out-maneuvered the lacking Airlie Birds.

They were 12-0 ahead at the break following tries from Peter Fox and Ben Fisher and, despite Tom Briscoe pulling one back after the re-start, Rovers finished in style with Kris Welham diving over in the 74th minute and the impressive Scott Murrell adding a drop goal for good measure to brutally end their rivals' campaign.

Both sides were forced into surprise changes with Hull centre Kirk Yeaman - who had only missed one game all season back in April - out due to a foot injury and young Rovers loose forward Liam Watts absent because of a knee problem.

The Airlie Birds suffered more woe as early as the fifth minute when Craig Hall, preferred at full-back despite Jordan Tansey's availability after suspension, limped off with an ankle injury forcing Richard Horne to switch from stand-off and endure a miserable evening.

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Rovers struck first when England winger Fox had ample time to collect Murrell's early kick to the corner on 10 minutes.

Michael Dobson converted and did likewise on 28 after Fisher had darted up the middle and traded passes with Shaun Briscoe.

Liam Colbon thought he had got over for a third just before the break but referee Phil Bentham pulled it back for a forward pass from Ben Galea during the build-up.

However, Hull came back strongly with Ben Cockayne just holding up Jordan Turner on the hooter after the outstanding Shaun Briscoe had earlier denied Danny Tickle over the line.

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Meanwhile, Murrell complained of being bitten in an incident which was put on report but no assailant was identified.

After the break, Briscoe went in for this 15th try of the season but their was no fightback as Dobson tagged on a penalty following a high shot by Willie Manu on Cockayne and improved Welham's late score.

Rovers, who finished in seventh, one place behind their rivals, will now head to either Warrington or Wigan next week.

Hull FC: Hall; Lyne, Berrigan, Turner, T Briscoe; Horne, Long; Radford, Houghton, O'Meley, Tickle, Manu, Fitzgibbon. Substitutes: Washbrook, Lauaki, Cusack, Moa.

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Hull KR: S Briscoe; Fox, Cockayne, Welham, Colbon; Murrell, Dobson; Vella, Fisher, Clinton, Newton, Galea, Netherton. Substitutes: Lovegrove, Wheeldon, Cook, Hodgson.

Referee: Phil Bentham (Warrington)