Out-of-form Super League champions Hull KR ended their losing run by battling back to beat city rivals Hull FC in a feisty derby. Joe Burgess' second-half try was his 14th of the season, while the result lifted the Robins back into the play-off places in fifth.
The struggling home side, who have now won just one of their past 11 games, raced into a 12-0 lead in the opening 10 minutes thanks to tries from Joe Batchelor and Davy Litten, but scores from Tom Amone and Arthur Mourgue levelled the game at the break.
Jack Broadbent's try put the Robins in front for the first time on the night and Joe Burgess raced in for a 95-metre intercept try to give the away side breathing room. Jake Arthur gave the hosts a glimmer of hope from Zak Hardaker's wonderful grubber kick, but Jordan Dezaria powered over to cap the win as the Robins moved back into the play-off positions in fifth.
In what was Willie Peters' final derby game as KR coach, his side extended their winning run to nine in a row against their rivals. Despite the bright start, Thursday's result was a sixth straight loss for second-bottom Hull FC, whose miserable season continues.
How did Hull FC start so strongly?
The home side made the ideal start, with Hull FC getting two tries in the opening 10 minutes to move 12-0 ahead. Joe Batchelor went in from Aidan Sezer's line-breaking run and Davy Litten did well to ground the ball under pressure.
The Robins, who claimed the World Club Challenge against Brisbane Broncos in their last game at the MKM Stadium in February, could have gone under after also losing their captain's challenge inside 90 seconds. However, they regained their composure and quickly worked their way back into the contest.
How did Hull KR turn the game around?
Hull KR turned the game around by scoring before half-time and then taking control in the second period. Tom Amone barreled over after good work from Jez Litten, before Arthur Mourgue, in for the suspended Mikey Lewis, scored to send the teams in level at 12-12 at the break.
After a Zak Hardaker penalty put the home side back in the lead following a high tackle on Lennon Clark, Jack Broadbent climbed highest to grab a Jez Litten kick and battled over to put Willie Peters' men ahead for the first time. Burgess, back in the 13 after being left out of the squad entirely last week, then intercepted a Jake Arthur pass five metres from his own line and held off a tackle from Logan Moy to run in and put KR in charge.
A helter-skelter passage of play ended with Hardaker showing brilliant football skills to tee up Arthur to reduce the arrears after a superb offload by Harvey Barron, but a comeback was not on the cards and Frenchman Dezaria powered over from close range for his first try for the Robins.
What does the result mean for both sides?
The win moved Hull KR back into the play-off positions in fifth and extended their winning run to nine in a row against Hull FC. It also marked the end of Willie Peters' final derby game as KR coach with another victory over their rivals.
For Hull FC, the result was another painful setback in a season that continues to unravel. Their owners put out a statement earlier in the week accepting responsibility for their wretched campaign, and Thursday's defeat was their sixth straight loss and their 10th defeat in 11 games.
Hull FC now head to bottom of the league Huddersfield Giants next Thursday, while KR welcome Bradford Bulls next Friday.
Hull FC: Moy; Barron, Hardaker, Litten, Briscoe; Arthur, Sezer; Salabio, Cust, Hill Batchelor, O'Neill, Bell.
Interchanges: Bourouh, Clark, Ese'ese, Wood.
Hull KR: Broadbent; Davies, Hiku, Gildart, Burgess; Mourgue, May; Sue, Litten. Hadley, Whitbread, Batchelor, Minchella.
Interchanges: Amone, Luckley, Lawton, Dezaria.
Key Facts
- Hull KR beat Hull FC in a feisty derby after coming from 12-0 down in the opening 10 minutes.
- Joe Burgess scored a 95-metre intercept try and his 14th try of the season.
- The result ended Hull KR's losing run and moved them back into fifth place.
- Hull FC have now won just one of their past 11 games and suffered a sixth straight loss.
- Willie Peters' final derby game as KR coach ended with his side extending their winning run to nine against Hull FC.
