Round 25
Hull FC 6 l. Hull KR 42

2007 engage English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: United Kingdom > National > First Grade Competition: engage English Super League

Hull KR confirm Super League safety
Tue September 4, 2007
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Paul Cooke inspired Hull Kingston Rovers to engage Super League safety as they secured victory in the 202nd Humberside derby at a packed KC Stadium.

Lifelong Rovers fan Cooke, who spent nine-years with Hull FC prior to his controversial cross-city move in April, was the architect of a fine win which saw Justin Morgan's men retain their place in the top flight and seal Salford City Red's relegation to National League One.

The fact that they secured their safety at the ground of their fiercest rivals will be of particular satisfaction to the Robins.

There has been no love lost between the two sides this season, Cooke's controversial transfer later followed by fighting between fans in the clash at Craven Park in July.

To add further spice to the occasion, Shaun Briscoe was named on the wing for Hull. The club announced this week that the England international will leave at the end of the season with Rovers his most likely destination.

With survival at stake the visitors could have been forgiven for starting nervously, but they were anything but, taking a deserved lead after 13 minutes.

Cooke spied a gap in the home defence and, after sprinting through, was on hand later in the move to play superb kick to the corner.

Andreas Bauer and Gareth Raynor both jumped for the ball and Bauer was able to tap the ball down for another ex-Hull player, Jason Netherton, swooped and stretched out over the line. Cooke added the conversion from the touchline.

Hull's attack, key in securing six wins in their last seven matches and virtually sealing a play-off spot, was strangely static and failed to produce any chances.

The one move they did conjure, involving Mathew Head, Motu Tony and Richard Horne, was halted by referee Steve Ganson who had spotted an earlier offence.

And, from the resulting passage of play, Rovers forged further ahead.

After Kirk Yeaman had spilled the ball, Scott Murrell was sharp enough to hand the loose ball off to the more able Luke Dyer, who made no mistake in racing clear of the cover defence to score.

Dyer's tries have been hugely influential in Rovers' campaign to beat the drop, and none more so than his second, a length of the field effort a minute before the interval.

Hutch Maiava, a source of huge disappointment at the KC Stadium this season, offered up a weak offload which went straight into the hands of Dyer.

Dyer set off in a 70-metre sprint for the line and, despite the attentions of Briscoe, was able to score. Cooke added his second goal to send Hull KR in 16-0 ahead at the break.

Hull began the second period in a more spirited fashion, but the commitment of Rovers to cling on was highlighted when Yeaman was dumped into touch by Dyer as he looked set to go in at the corner.

With Cooke directing Rovers around with distinction with his kicking game, Hull began to panic in defence and it was then, with their defence all at sea, that Mark Lennon grabbed the try to effectively secure survival.

Cooke curled a deft kick around Briscoe and Lennon nipped in unchallenged to ground. With the Hull fans stunned into silence, they momentarily forgot to boo Cooke as he slotted another touchline conversion.

Danny Washbrook's surge to the line to open Hull's account offered them momentary hope before Rhys Lovegrove made light work of Briscoe's challenge to score and captain James Webster produced a solo effort to kick-start the celebrations.

Never one to be left out, Stanley Gene - another to play for both clubs - then barged his way over before fittingly, Cooke had the final say, as his looping pass sent Lovegrove flying in for his brace in the final minute.

Report source: www.superleague.co.uk

Article: Morgan revels in Super League survival
Article: Salford confident of Super League return
Article: Rovers win sends Reds down


Derby near sell out as Hull FC set to smash attendance record
Fri August 24, 2007
Source: www.hullfc.com

Hull's 202nd derby match between Hull FC and Hull KR at the KC Stadium on Sunday, September 2nd (12.30pm) is close to a sell out.

With a capacity of just over 23,000, Hull FC revealed today, they had fewer than 2,000 tickets still available and they were advising fans who hadn't already bought their tickets to get them now and not be disappointed.

The game is ALL-TICKET, over 21,000 tickets have been sold, and Hull FC are warning fans that tickets won't be on sale on the day of the match and nobody will be allowed in the stadium unless they have a ticket.

Hull FC have revealed today, they will smash their all-time, 142 year old, average attendance record of 13,109 by the end of the season.

With two Super League games to go, Hull are already well above their previous best and are heading for a sensational 15,000 plus average.

Chief executive James Rules admitted he was surprised, especially looking back on the glory years the club have gone through, but highly delighted.

He said: "Attendances this season have been sensational and to have created a club record is nothing short of fantastic.

"On behalf of me, the board of directors, staff and players at Hull FC I wish to thank our fans for their loyalty. They should be very proud of creating this milestone in the clubs long and distinguished history."

The current record average was set in their Challenge Cup winning campaign 1981-82 of 13,109, but with two games to go, Hull are already well above that record.

Hull's present average is 13,886, over 700 above their glory year's best. With a derby against Hull KR and a match with Bradford Bulls to come their average is certain to be even higher.

It is feasible Hull could finish with a 15,000 plus average, which would far out strip anything they had previously recorded since the club was formed in 1865.

With over 19,000 derby tickets already sold it is certain the game will attract a 20,000 plus crowd, which will increase the present 13,886 average significantly.

Even on that 19,000 figure it will lift Hull's average attendance to a magnificent 15,585, a staggering 2,000 plus increase.

What is surprising is that even in Hull's previous glory days in the late 1950s they didn't top 13,000. Their best were 12,800 in 1957-58 and 11,700 the following season 58-59.

Although Hull did pull in massive 20,000 plus crowds for certain games because the game was played during the winter months attendances did plummet to the around the 6, 7 or 8,000 mark.

Summer rugby has made a difference, but as Rule added: "Anybody who has seen Hull FC play live is aware of magnificent passion and atmosphere Hull FC's faithful create.

"It is a wonderful experience and one I truly believe encourages individuals and families to want to be apart of it."

FACTFILE:

Previous highs

1979-80: 10,021 (cup finalists, Floodlit Trophy winners)
1980-81: 11,711 (Premiership finalists
1981-82: 13,190 (Cup and John Player winners, Premiership finalists)
1982-83: 11,525 (Champions, Cup finalists, Yorkshire Cup winners, Premiership finalists)
1983-84: 10,679 (Yorkshire Cup winners)
1955-56: 10,000 (Champions, Yorkshire Cup finalists)
1957-58: 12,800 (Champions)
1958-59: 10,700 (Cup finalists)
1919-20 (champions) 12,368
1920-21 (champions) 12,555
1921-22 (cup finalists) 8,666
1935-36 (champions) 11,542
1947-48 10,730

KC STADIUM (Super League):
2003 - 11,598
2004 - 11,397
2005 - 10,639
2006 - 11,211

News sent by: www.hullfc.com

Mon August 20, 2007
• Ticket sales for Hull derby pass 19,000
  

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