We were outclassed by KR in the end...

JOHN Cartwright labelled the 249th Hull derby a 'dour affair' but nonetheless was proud of the effort and spirit from his Hull FC side.

- By DAN TOMLINSON

The patched up Black and Whites were beaten 18-4 by Hull KR at Craven Park - a game that was much more competitive than many expected.

However, Cartwright also conceded that his Hull side were 'outclassed' in the end, with the Aussie head coach highlighting an influential performance by a former FC player in Jez Litten.

With Rovers leading 4-0 at halftime, the lively hooker scored a crucial try in the second half to take the game to 10-0 and played a big part in the Robins' win - who now need one more victory to tie up the League Leaders Shield.

Speaking to the Mail, Cartwright said: “It was a really dour affair. We were probably outclassed in the end. Jez Litten was a constant threat to us. He was the major difference between the two sides.

“I thought both forward packs cancelled themselves out and I thought we did a goob job, in general, on their halves and their fullback, but he (Litten) has done it to us before, and he got us again.”

Rovers started the stronger of the two sides, suffocating Hull in their own half and restricting the away side's yardage.