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John Ledger
THEY have threatened to do so for more years than they would care to admit but Hull Kingston Rovers are at last showing signs that they are ready to break out.
The journey will not involve leaving their spiritual home at Craven Park but in many ways the move is just as significant for, if successful, it will see the East Hull club finally emerge from the shadow of their illustrious rivals on the other side of the city.
Few sporting rivalries can match the intensity between that of Hull and Hull KR and the presence of the two clubs in different divisions has done little to diminish the (usually) friendly animosity that exists in the divided city
While Hull have established themselves as a Super League club of some stature, Rovers have remained marooned in the lower division, a position which has grown more painful with each passing season for followers of the Robins.
Even when they win a trophy, as they did this summer with their thrilling victory over Castleford in the Northern Rail Cup final, Rovers found their thunder stolen by Hull, who a couple of months later went on to lift the Challenge Cup at Cardiff.
As much as it hurt watching the team they beat at Wembley a quarter of a century ago get the better of Leeds, the pain for Rovers' followers was assuaged by the knowledge that their club is now doing what is needed for them to rise again.
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