Joe Burgess Grabs brace as Hull KR claim challenge cup derby win to reach semis

Joe Burgess scored a brace of tries as Hull KR triumphed 32-16 over city rivals Hull FC at the MKM Stadium to reach the Betfred Challenge Cup semi-finals for the third-successive year.

The two fierce rivals clashed in the competition for the first time in 39 years and it was Super League leaders Rovers who prevailed, extending their 100 per cent start to the season in all competitions to nine matches.

Wingers Tom Davies and Burgess went over for two superb tries within the space of two first-half minutes and a third classy touch down from full-back Jack Broadbent put Rovers 18-0 ahead at the break.

Rovers forged into 30-0 lead through Burgess' second try and Hull-born replacement Jez Litten, who contributed 16 points by also landing five conversions and a penalty, also crossed over.

The hosts gave their fans brief hope of a fightback by cutting the deficit to 30-12 after tries from wing Lewis Martin and prop Herman Ese'ese, but it was not enough and their centre Zak Hardaker's late touch down was a mere consolation.

Rovers, who beat their city rivals 22-6 in the first round when the two sides last met in the competition in 1986, were dealt a huge blow when talisman Lewis limped off with what appeared to be a groin injury.

But they shrugged off that setback by surging into a 12-0 lead with two tries in as many minutes to seize control of the tie.

Davies was sent in at the corner by Peta Hiku for a superbly-executed try to break the deadlock in the 24th minute and opposite wing Burgess pounced on a fortuitous bounce from Tyrone May's kick to side-step his way over.

Both scores were converted by Lewis' replacement Litten - he lined up opposite his cousin, Hull FC centre Davy Litten - and the home side were left with a mountain to climb when Rovers went over for their third try in the 37th minute.

New Zealand centre Hiku was again the architect as his brilliant off-load found the supporting Sam Luckley, who fed Broadbent to race in beyond Hull's covering defence.

Litten landed his third-successive conversion to the delight of the 3,500 Rovers fans to put them 18-0 ahead at half-time.

The home side - who are second in the Super League table - hit back from 22-6 down at Wigan in the previous round, but fell further behind after conceding field position via a sloppy play-the-ball, soon after the restart.

Rovers clinically moved the ball wide and centre Oliver Gildart sent Burgess in for his second try, with Litten again adding the extras to extend his side's lead to 24-0.

Litten underlined his stunning impact after replacing Lewis, dummying his way over for a fine individual try, which he converted to put Rovers out of sight.

The Black and Whites threw caution to the wind and were rewarded with two quickfire tries, both converted by new signing Will Pryce, through Martin and the rampaging Ese'ese to cut the deficit to 30-12.

Litten's penalty stretched Rovers' lead to 32-12 before Burgess was denied his hat-trick when his late effort was ruled out for obstruction.

Hardaker went over for the hosts' third try in the final minute, but it was too late for the Airlie Birds.