The Robins have now won nine derbies in a row
Hull KR’s Tom Amone celebrates his try against Hull FC with James Batchelor..
Hull KR came from behind to record their ninth straight win over rivals Hull FC, and their second in three weeks, winning 34-20.
Willie Peters’ Robins had lost three of their last four heading into the clash at the MKM Stadium and they were stuck in the blocks early on as Hull scored though Joe Batchelor and Davy Litten.
The visitors found themselves towards the end of the first half though to ensure the scoreline was level at break through Tom Amone and Arthur Mourgue efforts.
They put their foot on the gas after the interval with Jack Broadbent, Joe Burgess and Jordan Dezaria making sure of the points they so desperately needed, despite a late effort from Jake Arthur.
It was the result KR needed to ease the pressure, carrying them back into the top six at least until Leigh Leopards and St Helens play later this weekend.
However, it was also the result Peters craved in his last Hull derby before he makes the move back down under at the end of the season.
The Black and Whites’ season is over at this point, and Steve McNamara will have the duty of wrestling back bragging rights from those in the east in 2027.
With both sides struggling for any sort of feel good factor leading into the third and final derby of the campaign, the build-up to the clash was more muted than it usually is. That didn’t take away from what the game meant to the 18,809 supporters in attendance though and the atmosphere inside the MKM Stadium come kick-off told it’s own story.
It was the home crowd who were cheering loudest after five minutes though as the Black and Whites gave themselves the advantage.
Slipping through the grasps of both Elliot Minchella and Mourgue, Aidan Sezer burst through the line and towards Broadbent before finding the supporting run of Batchelor on his inside shoulder to open the scoring.
FC were clearly fired up and Rovers struggling to cope with their aggression and tenacity, Andy Last’s side hammered home their advantage by scoring another just three minutes later. This one came on the other side of the field with Jake Arthur spotting the space in behind the Rovers line before stabbing a kick through for the chasing Litten to touch down.
That’s when momentum swung in the game though and FC went on to spend much of the remainder of the first half camped in their own territory.
Rovers dominated field position and possession of the ball without really managing to trouble the Hull line. However, they eventually found the breakthrough on the 30 minute mark with Jez Litten putting Tom Amone over on the crash ball from short range.
Willie Peters’ side managed to level things up just before the break too, with Mourgue recovering from what had been a woeful start to the game from a personal perspective, to scoot around the ruck and finish from close range.
KR didn’t have the lead but they were well on top by the half-time hooter and in truth, only one team looked capable of winning the game as the second half loomed.
FC made the most of a high tackle to kick themselves ahead but Rovers pushed up undeterred and when Logan Moy failed to collect Litten’s booming kick, Broadbent was on hand to give Rovers the lead for the first time in the contest.
Hull were penalised after Amir Bourouh’s pass into Sam Luckley was deemed to be against the spirit of the game and that gave Rovers the opportunity to kick themselves two points closer to victory through Mourgue.
Burgess had the game all but wrapped up when he intercepted a looping Jake Arthur pass over the top and raced 90 metres, handing off Moy as he went, to touch down unopposed.
A lapse in judgement from Amir Bourouh, ripping the ball, gave Mourgue the chance to kick two more.
Arthur went over but it wasn’t enough to spare Hull yet another derby defeat with Dezaria having the last laugh late on. The city of Hull will remain red and white until 2027 at least.