The Robins secured their third win of the season over their rivals, and their second piece of silverware in the process.
17:06, 07 Sep 2025Updated 17:07, 07 Sep 2025
Hull KR celebrate Jez Litten’s try in the Hull derby/
Hull KR will be crowned League Leaders’ Shield winners for the first time in the Super League era after defeating their arch rivals, Hull FC, 18-4 at Sewell Group Craven Park.
In front of a packed house, the Robins delivered on the big stage, downing their determined rivals with a tenacious performance that eventually saw them prove just too much for the Black and Whites.
Rovers haven’t mathematically won the League Leaders’ Shield yet but their superior points difference means it is as close to a guarantee as you can get. It will be the first time Rovers have finished top of the table since 1985.
All eyes are now on their Grand Final redemption, that is what matters for the Robins now. They’ve done the treble over their rivals, now they want the one, two, three in the trophy cabinet. It is more than attainable. All eyes on the semis in October.
As for Hull FC, they came away from this game with credit despite defeat. Their play-off hopes remain alive with games against Catalans and Warrington still to come. The resiience they are showing could take them a long way, despite the injuries that threaten to derail them.
The major team news before the game was the surprise absence of Joe Burgess, who was pulled out 24 hours before due to a calf complaint in the captain’s run. It meant a place in the side for Noah Booth, coming in for his first appearance in almost three months.
For the Black and Whites, their injury-ravaged side had three changes, with homegrown talents Lloyd and Callum Kemp, alongside Will Gardiner, coming into the side for Herman Ese’ese, Ed Chamberlain and Harvey Barron.
The opening exchanges were, as expected, ferocious. Both sides looked to stamp their authority on the contest, but the hosts did it better, restricting their opponents’ metres and spending most of the opening inside Hull’s half.
That said, the visitors looked largely comfortable defending their own line, with the Robins rarely looking like scoring.
It was a show of respect the Black and Whites have earned this season that Rovers went for two when Amir Bourouh reefed the ball from Jez Litten. However, Arthur Mourgue, dealing with a spiralling wind, wasn’t able to convert.
But the breakthrough eventually arrived on 18 minutes and it was through Booth. Litten set the platform with a marauding run from dummy half. Rovers hit the blindside, Mikey Lewis found Jack Broadbent with a cut-out pass and quick hands put Booth in at the corner. Mourgue missed from out wide.
After the try, Hull did get some territory as mistakes from Dean Hadley and Broadbent put them in position. And they should have scored, with Zak Hardaker the first to reach Aidan Sezer’s grubber, but the veteran couldn’t keep hold of the ball at full speed. It would prove to be their only real chance of the half.
Rovers thought they had scored just before half-time as Lewis ran the length of the field after an apparent one-on-one ball steal. But after a video ref review, it showed the ball hit Cust on the elbow, meaning it was a knock on.
Mourgue then had the chance to add points from the tee again after Hull held down, but once again, with the wind up, he was unable to get his bearings. Despite all their pressure, the Robins only had a 4-0 lead.
But that would soon change after half-time. They missed one opportunity after a Lloyd Kemp fumble but when in position a second time, Litten came to fore with another scamper that saw him scramble home under the sticks. That, as well as Mourgue’s first conversion of the afternoon, gave the Robins a 10-point lead. At that point, Yusuf Aydin had been sin-binned for a hip drop tackle or Mourgue.
The league leaders went up a gear for a spell and looked dangerous but again, their plucky rivals hung in there. If they were going to go down, it wouldn’t be without a fight.
When Elliot Minchella was sin-binned for a high tackle; Hull were hoping for a different colour to come out of the referee’s pocket, it appeared it might be their opening. But they threw a forward pass in their own half, Cade Cust switched off as he had a push and shove with Lewis while defending at marker, and Broadbent made the most as he scooted over from close range. Despite Mourgue’s latest miss, that was the game.
The Black and Whites would get a consolation, and deny Rovers their latest zero, when Tom Briscoe dived home eight minutes from time after a flowing move.
But the last laugh went to Rovers and Tom Davies, with the winger racing home after Tyrone May’s delightful looped pass.
Hull perhaps let emotions get the best of them near the end as they were invovled in some underhand tactics. It resulted in Jordan Rapana being sin-binned for a late tackle.
Irrespective, this was Rovers’ day. They’re hoping another day is coming soon at Old Trafford. Four games to go.
Hull KR : 35. Arthur Mourgue; 2. Tom Davies, 3. Peta Hiku, 18. Jack Broadbent, 36. Noah Booth; 6. Mikey Lewis, 7. Tyrone May; 16. Jai Whitbread, 9. Jez Litten, 10. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves; 11. Dean Hadley, 12. James Batchelor, 13. Elliot Minchella. Subs: 15. Sam Luckley, 20. Kelepi Tanginoa, 24. Eribe Doro, 25. Bill Leyland. 18th Man: 21. Jack Brown
Tries: Booth (18), Litten (46), Broadbent (64), Davies (76)
Goals: Mourgue 1/6
Hull FC: 34. Lloyd Kemp; 5. Tom Briscoe, 1. Jordan Rapana, 20. Davy Litten, 22. Lewis Martin; 14. Cade Cust, 7. Aidan Sezer; 17. Jack Ashworth, 9. Amir Bourouh, 41. Liam Watts; 3. Zak Hardaker, 12. Jordan Lane; 16. Yusuf Aydin Subs: 19. Brad Fash, 21. Will Gardiner, 27. Matty Laidlaw, 30. Callum Kemp. 18th Man: 23. Logan Moy
Tries: Briscoe (72)
Goals: Hardaker 0/1