Hull KR came to Spotland boasting the ‘dream team’ of big reputation coaches and an expensive team of star players, only to be humbled by a huge team effort and a sheer bloody refusal to play second fiddle.

At the helm, Bobby Goulding - working his way through the repertoire of kicks, chips and blistering tackles; ably supported by a team that walks the walk whilst other are busy talking.

And the Bobster got things underway in the second minute: Dave Cunliffe charging down a hapless Mansson kick; Goulding the first to react and get fingertips to the ball over the line. Braddish added the extras.

on eight minutes it was Cunliffe again that laid the foundations - a big break towards the posts; Darren Robinson putting the ball down from acting half whilst three defenders flailed around him. Extras from Braddish, plus a penalty had Hornets 14-nil up before the Robins had broken into a stumble.

Hornets continued to take the game to Rovers Big breaks from Gareth Price took Hornets forward; a neat half break saw Robinson fumble a speculative pass with the line begging. With Hull KR reduced to one man drives from Makali Azue, Hornets’ pressure finally told.

On 25 minutes Goulding produced a pinpoint chip into space; Andy Gorski galloped through a huge hole to gather and score. Braddish missed his only kick of the afternoon. But it hardly mattered. Minutes later non-stop Tommy Hodkinson smuggled the ball out of the tackle to the supporting Sam Butterworth; Sam sped through a flat defence and filleted the fullback perfectly with a neat inside pass that sent debutant Dave Alstead steaming under the posts. His celebratory wave as he went under was probably a bit much - but what the heck...

Hornets were back on the attack almost immediately, but the swift hands left came to nothing as Andy ‘The Train’ Saywell failed to hold what looked like a straightforward pass.

With Goulding running the show with almost embarrassing aplomb, Hull KR decided that nobbling him was their best chance; a series of late hits saw Goulding receive treatment for what looked like a serious jaw injury. When asked by the bench if he wanted to come off, Goulding answered with a resounding “No!”

Clinging desperately to the wreckage of the first half, Rovers gave themselves some small hope as Gallagher capitalised on some flat-footed defending to scuttle in. Half time 24-4 and Hull KR all but dead in the water.

Hornets began the second half at full steam. Goulding produced a slide-rule 40-20 from the first set of six; Rovers’ only answer was Makali Azue holding down in the tackle. Braddish slotted the two and Azue went to warm the bench for ten minutes.

A man down, Rovers scrambled a score that gave them a glimmer of hope; a looping run from Mansson found Poucher with enough space to score.

But Hornets came straight back - and the killer blow was applied by Goulding. Last tackle play; Goulding feigned the kick and took the ball down the line; straightening his run he bounced through three or four tackles and, as he broke the line, he found Cunliffe on his arm; an immaculate pass released Cunliffe into open field and as Hornets surged forward on Robins’ full back Poucher, he slipped the ball inside for Sam Butterworth to sprint 30 metres to score under the posts. Quite, quite exquisite. Braddish converted and added another penalty to stretch Hornets lead to 34-8.

Rovers did nail two quick tries in five minutes: first, Hasty who slipped through some tired tackles followed by Holdstock running off a Gallagher pass. But it was academic really.

Rovers did raise their effort levels in the last quarter, but it was way too little way too late. Goulding repeatedly pinned back the Robins with searching kicks and scared the crap out of their scrambling cover with some shuddering tackles.

With both sides almost at a standstill, Hornets launched one last attack and, again, the Rovers defence conceded a dumb penalty. Braddish dispatched it perfectly, the home fans asked Hally what the score was and the hooter brought the curtain down on a virtuoso performance.

“It was a great team win, “ said Goulding afterwards. “We’re not getting carried away, but the lads are up for it.”

He went on: “Everybody tried their hardest. We’ve got a bunch of lads who are an absolute credit to me and a credit to themselves.”

Whilst, over in East Hull, questions are already being asked of ability the Mal & Martin double act, this was a performance that made you proud to be a Hornet. The enthusiasm and determination, visible for all to see, is all we ever ask of those who pull on the red white and blue - and Goulding’s side knows the true value of a win like this.

And the lesson to be learned from Sunday’s quite amazing game? Without passion, we are nothing.