Hull FC talking points: Spine frustration as pressure mounts after derby defeat

Hull FC turned in an underwhelming performance to lose 16-4 against Hull KR at Craven Park on Good Friday.

Here's a look at some of the talking points to emerge from the game.

can have no complaints about the scoreline at Craven Park after being beaten by the better team. FC were in the game at half-time after a low quality but cagey first half, getting on the scoreboard through Josh Reynolds and looking capable of kicking on in the final 40 minutes of the game.

Heads dropped at the start of the second half, though, as Darnell McIntosh failed to claim a high kick on his own 10m line and that gave Rovers the momentum they needed to take the game away from Hull with two Lachlan Coote tries in the space of four minutes. From there on in there was only ever going to be one winner. FC were struggling to make passes stick and at times they were guilty of overplaying, as they were in games against Huddersfield Giants and Wigan Warriors.

In truth, they had no excuses for it, either, given Brett Hodgson named something close to a full strength side, with Carlos Tuimavave considered fit enough to make his first Super League appearance of the season. Ultimately, the best side won at Craven Park and that won’t sit comfortably with the head coach.

Having seen his spine struggle to create opportunities in the loss at Huddersfield Giants a week ago, Hodgson will have been hoping for a better performance from his spine players. Jake Connor, Luke Gale and Josh Reynolds failed to click at the John Smith’s Stadium and the trio struggled to find any joy whatsoever at Craven Park in a clunky, disjointed and frustrating performance.

Reynolds did well to score Hull’s only try of the game and he deserves credit for his support play in the