For an enhanced video experience, please use the Chrome browser. Defending Super League titleholders, Hull KR, have bounced back into the play-off positions after mounting a stunning comeback to defeat Hull FC 34-20, overcoming a 12-point deficit. Hull FC, who had previously lost eight consecutive derbies, started strongly with tries from Joe Batchelor and Davy Litten within the first eight minutes, securing a 12-0 lead.
However, the Rovers fought back, leveling the score by halftime through tries from Tom Amone and Arthur Mourgue. In the second half, Hull FC briefly regained the lead at 14-12 courtesy of Zak Hardaker's kick, but a try by Jack Broadbent and a penalty from Mourgue soon put the Robins ahead by six points. The turning point came with 12 minutes remaining, as Joe Burgess intercepted a pass and sprinted nearly 80 meters to score Hull KR's fourth try.
Mourgue added another penalty to extend the lead, and although Jake Arthur scored a late try for Hull FC, it was too little, too late, as Jordan Dezaria sealed the win for Hull KR with a late effort. Hull FC coach Andy Last reflected on the game, stating, "The win was within our grasp, especially after starting so well and leading 12-0.
However, we conceded a couple of soft tries in the last 15 minutes of the first half. In the second half, we struggled to exit our half, and Hull KR excelled at suffocating our field position.
We had an opportunity with 15 minutes to go but lacked the patience to keep them pinned back, and the Burgess try was a significant blow." Last continued, "We controlled large parts of the game in the first half but lost momentum in the ruck. They gained speed, and Jez Litten, not surprisingly, was named man of the match.
He dominated the game for Hull KR, and it's a lesson for us." Hull KR head coach Willie Peters expressed relief at the victory, saying, "It was a tough start, but the team showed a lot of fight. If anyone questioned our resolve before the game, the players certainly proved themselves.
At 12-12 at halftime, it wasn't perfect, but I was proud of the fight they showed." Peters added, "As a coach, you're not calm during the game, especially given our position as a club. We're in new territory, having been hunted by teams after our performance last year. We'll learn a lot about ourselves at the end of the year, but for now, we have a lot of fight left. There's no disconnection; when I talk about disconnection, it's about things we do on the field.
Connected teams win, and if we weren't connected, we wouldn't have come back to win tonight." Jez Litten, the player of the match, shared his thoughts, saying, "Derbies are always special, and it wasn't the prettiest game, but we stuck together and turned up for each other. I'm happy we got another derby win. We showed resilience after going 12 points behind, and it's been a tough couple of weeks. However, what matters most is what we discuss within the dressing room.
We're still the champion team, and we're approaching the business end of the year. Tonight showed that, and we're not yet the full package; we have a lot to improve on.
We'll remain humble and work on our game next week." Sky Sports will continue to broadcast every Super League game live this season, including two exclusive matches per round and the remaining five matches each week on Sky Sports+.