Magic Weekend 2016: Hull FC 28-16 Hull Kingston Rovers

Curtis Naughton scored the second of Hull's five tries at St James' Park

Hull FC pulled two points clear at the Super League summit with a 28-16 Magic Weekend derby win against Hull KR.

Tries from Mahe Fonua and Curtis Naughton built a Black and Whites lead, cut to two by Shaun Lunt's converted try and a Terry Campese penalty.

After the break, Campese then kicked another goal before Graeme Horne's converted score put Rovers ahead.

Fonua's second levelled before the Airlie Birds pulled clear with tries from Jamie Shaul and Mark Minichello.

The final game of the weekend kept the interest of sizeable followings from both clubs, although those in red and white were silenced by the second-half flurry.

After coming into the game joint-top, Lee Radford's side took the opportunity to stretch clear after results across the weekend went their way.

Rovers were underdogs on a form basis but their aggressive approach was more than a match for much of the game.

Ultimately Hull's strike won them the game, with Fonua, Naughton and Shaul from full-back cutting the Robins open.

There were flash points in keeping with such a rivalry, notably when Maurice Blair scragged Marc Sneyd - sparking an all-in scuffle.

But Hull had the composure and ruthlessness to edge their rivals and climb clear at the summit.

Hull boss Lee Radford:

"I'm pleased with the result and the league table. But, in terms of performance, it probably wasn't as good or as slick as we've been in weeks gone by. That's credit to Hull KR who made it a really stop-start affair. It took any fluency out of what we did. But it's a derby and you'll take a win in any manner.

"The Widnes defeat in March was a hard one. I was shell shocked. I didn't think as many incidents in one rugby league game could go against us and I didn't think we could play as badly as that.

"But did I think back then we had a squad capable of competing in that top four? 100 per cent. That was the goal from day one and we're at a stage now where we're in and amongst it."

"Mahe Fonua is going to become a fans' favourite if he carries on playing like that against Hull KR. He's a handful He carries the ball like he's got a tennis ball in his hand. He's a natural footballer."

Rovers head coach James Webster:

"We were a bit depleted as two players failed fitness tests. We're down to the bare bones and, if we lost anyone though suspension now, it would hurt us.

"But, although we came up short on a few things, we didn't get beat on effort. We played better and lost than we did last weekend when we won against Widnes,

"That performance would have won against a lot of teams. But they are a good, fast team with a massive squad that is fully fit. Do I expect them to be pushing for it? 100 per cent.

"We're one of five teams fighting it out eighth spot and we'll bust a gut to get there."

Hull FC: Shaul; Naughton, Fonua, Talanoa, Yeaman; Pryce, Sneyd; Taylor, Houghton, Watts, Minichello, Manu, Ellis.

Replacements: Tuimavave, Washbrook, Pritchard, Bowden.

Hull KR: Marsh; Sio, Horne, Thornley, Minns; Campese, Kelly; Tilse, Lawler, Allgood, Blair, Greenwood, Clarkson.

Replacements: Walker, Lunt, Donaldson, Green.

Referee: Richard Silverwood.