Hull KR achieved back-to-back Betfred Super League titles for the first time this season with a 24-6 victory over Hull FC in the 250th competitive Hull Derby.
Taking advantage of their rivals’ error-filled start, the Robins took a 10-point lead by the first quarter with tries from Jack Broadbent and Oliver Gildart.
Hull FC looked set to equalize early in the second half thanks to Tom Briscoe’s counterattack before half-time, but Lewis Martin’s try was controversially canceled out for a knock-on.
A fiercely contested derby saw multiple flashpoints, with both teams dominating, but it was Hull KR who struck the deciding blow.
After Tyrone May’s fascinating break, Jez Litten was sent off and Joe Burgess’ customary two tries in the final 10 minutes decided the game.
With this win, Hull KR move past Hull FC, who have fallen to 9th place in the Super League, and move into 6th place and into the play-off places.
Hull KR extend derby advantage over Hull FC
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Mikey Lewis timed his pass perfectly and Hull KR took the lead in the Hull derby after a well-worked set-piece.
Hull FC struggled to capitalize on Hull KR’s dominant start and brought on their own undoing with a series of knock-ons and penalties that put pressure on them from the start.
It was a 10-minute period in which Mikey Lewis produced a deft move from a set-piece that then led to Broadbent’s opening try.
The Robins added their second goal eight minutes later, on their fifth tackle, when a quick hand kept the ball alive and Gildart evaded it.
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Sam Rizzone unhappy with Elliott Minchella’s tackle sparks anger at Hull derby
Unforced errors hampered Hull FC’s progress, but the introduction of Sam Risonne, who was involved in two heavy collisions with Elliot Minchella, added new impetus to the attack.
This started a ferocious fightback before the break, culminating in Briscoe picking up a beautifully misplaced pass from Aidan Cesar and diving over for Zach Hardaker to convert, cutting the gap to four points.
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Hull FC fought back with a derby through Tom Briscoe, but Briscoe raced clear with a brilliant looping pass from Aidan Cesar to push through.
Hull FC’s resurgence continued from the restart, with Hardaker’s kick-off leading to a knock-on from Broadbent, and six minutes later, Dean Hadley’s mistake saw the team’s momentum continue.
This laid the foundations for an all-out attack, with John Aciata withdrawn injured and Martin finally leveling the score in the corner, but after lengthy consideration the try was controversially deemed to have gone wide of the goal.
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After Tyrone May’s break, Hull KR extend their lead as James Litten scores before a brawl breaks out
Hull KR made the most of the reprieve, with May breaking through the Hull FC defense before Litten popped out with just over an hour left.
This gave Hull KR the platform to once again confirm their dominance in the derby, and Burgess secured it with two acrobatic finishes in the corners to score his seventh and eighth Super League tries of the season.
‘Outrageous decision’ to disallow Martin’s try
Sky Sports’ Jon Wilkin said of Lewis Martin’s canceled try:
“This is an outrageous decision for many reasons. It took nearly two minutes for the video referee to consider it, and the referee continued to request new camera angles.”
“Of all the angles, there was no evidence of separation and the angle the referee claimed did not indicate separation. It was an outrageous call that led to a try for Jez Ritten.”
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Jon Wilkin criticizes decision to deny Lewis Martin’s try, says it was outrageous and questions lack of conclusive evidence to overturn on-field decision
Peters: Hull KR stands up in physical derby
Hull KR Head Coach Willie Peters: “I thought we were in control in the first half and I didn’t like the way we responded at the beginning of the second half.
“That’s what derby games are like. Tough, very physical. I thought everyone stood up. I thought our middle really set the stage.”
“I’m proud of Jack (Broadbent) because he wasn’t our first-choice full-back, but when he had the chance he grabbed it with both hands.”
Cartwright regrets discipline and mistakes
Hull FC head coach John Cartwright: “At the end of the day we just had a bad first half. Our discipline, our mistakes. They are world champions and we have to be close to our best.”
“If we can score a try in the corner we have a chance to go 12-10 with a bit of momentum. But in the end they had too many.”
“That’s the core part of building the game, we just weren’t there. The penalties and errors cost us a lot.”
2026 Super League – Important dates and highlights
Rivals Round: 3rd April – 5th April Super League in Paris: Saturday 6th June: Catalans Dragons vs. Wigan Warriors (Paris), 6:30 UK (Sky Sports) Magic Weekend: 4th July – 5th July Rivals Round Turnaround: 23rd July – 26th July Elimination Playoffs: 19th September – 20th September Playoff Semi-Finals: September 26th – September 27th Grand Final: October 3rd, Old Trafford.
Sky Sports will continue to broadcast every Super League match live this season. Exclusively live, including two matches from each round, the remaining five matches will be shown weekly on Sky Sports+.
