Mahe Fonua (L) of Hull FC races through to score one of his two tries
Hull FC moved to the top of a crowded First Utility Super League table thanks to a 28-16 win over Hull KR in the finale of Magic Weekend.
Victory breaks Hull out of a four-way tie on 20 points, but they were tested hard by their city rivals at St James' Park in Newcastle and had to battle from behind to claim the spoils.
Their struggles in the middle third of the match must have seemed unlikely when Mahe Fonua gave them a sixth-minute lead with a try that was set up by a long cross-field kick from Marc Sneyd.
Rovers had Shaun Lunt sin-binned soon after for a spear tackle on Liam Watts, and Hull took advantage when Curtis Naughton crossed out wide for the only unconverted try of the match.
Lunt made some amends in the 31st minute when he jinked over from dummy half to cut the deficit to 10-6, and a tight opening half ended 10-8 thanks to a Terry Campese penalty.
Campese levelled the scores with another successful kick in the early minutes of the second period and Rovers claimed a six-point lead when Graeme Horne hauled in a pass from Albert Kelly to score their second try.
Hull got back on level terms in the 57th minute when Fonua scored his second try, making the most of a beautiful pass from Gareth Ellis to crash over.
Four minutes later Hull were back in front, for good this time as it turned out, with a long pass from Carlos Tuimavave starting off a flowing move ended by Jamie Shaul.
And Hull showed no inclination to give up their advantage for a second time as they extended their lead to 12 with a score from Mark Minichiello, again set up by Tuimavave, and saw out the last few minutes to claim bragging rights and go clear of Wigan, Warrington and Catalans Dragons at the top of the table.
