Hull derbies: We take a look back on some of the classic moments

With Hull KR hosting rivals Hull FC on Friday, we take a look back on some memorable moments from the Hull derbies.

The race for the Super 8s is hotting up and the fiercest battle for that final spot to decide whether teams will be playing for promotion or relegation could fall in the same city. Hull FC currently occupy eighth, but are only two points ahead of Hull KR, and fittingly the two sides play each other this weekend.

There's plenty riding on this year’s derby. Both sides have been inconsistent in their results this season, but you can be sure they’ll raise their level for Friday night.

The two clubs have enjoyed some classic encounters since their first Super League meeting, but before you settle down to enjoy this one Live on Sky Sports 1 on Friday, sit back and think back to some memorable moments on Humberside from times gone by…

Live First Utility Super League

First Super League meeting

Hull FC 22-14 Hull KR – April 9, 2007

Thirteen long years stood between the two city rivals, with KR languishing outside the Super League since its inception. But the moment Justin Morgan’s men saw off Widnes in the National League One Grand Final, everyone in Hull knew what was coming. And so on April 9, 2007, the two sides renewed one of Rugby League’s fiercest rivalries.

The newly-promoted Robins gave a fantastic account of themselves, but it fell to Danny Tickle to score the first Hull derby try in Super League. Sean Briscoe soon followed him over the whitewash, and despite Luke Dyer going over for KR’s first against their rivals, FC established a 16-4 lead. Back came the Robins though; David Tangata-Toa and Andreas Bauer narrowing the gap to two points. But FC weren’t to be denied and Sid Domic went over the final minute to secure the first derby spoils since 1994.

Cooke’s crossover 

April 27, 2007

Joint-longest serving player. Winning try in the 2005 Challenge Cup final. Marshal of the Hull FC backline. So what chance was there of Paul Cooke swapping the 2006 Grand Finalists for their recently-promoted bitter city rivals? Well, quite high actually. A lifelong Robins fan, Cooke sensationally decided halfway through the 2007 season he fancied a crack at playing in the red-and-white. Unhappy with his contract at the KC Stadium, Cooke handed in his resignation and announced his decision to move a few miles across the city. Unsurprisingly, that didn’t go down too well. Things headed down the legal route, and the mess wasn’t cleared until Cooke was banned for six weeks for misconduct at the beginning of 2008. And that meant he didn’t feature for the Robins until the next Hull derby…

Webster’s winner

Hull KR 11-10 Hull FC - March 21st, 2008

Given the bad blood between the two sides, most of the pre-match build up unsurprisingly focused on the return of a certain stand-off in the Red-and-White. Paul Cooke had a relatively quiet game though, and instead the magic moment fell to his half-back partner James Webster. The sides were locked at 10-all going into the final minutes after sharing two tries apiece, but there was still a twist in the tale. And in the swirling winds of Craven Park, it seemed Cooke would provide it. KR set up for the one-pointer with Cooke in the pocket, but he switched back inside and took contact. And that left Webster free on the next play to pop over a low, wobbly effort to send one half of the city into delirium.

Briscoe’s beauty

Hull FC 44-18 Hull KR – July 20, 2008

The summer of 2008 saw a routine two points for Hull FC, a 44-18 victory that was, in fact, their biggest derby win. But the day belonged to 18-year-old FC winger Tom Briscoe, who crossed the whitewash twice. And one of his efforts is, still, quite possibly the greatest derby try. A big hit on Peter Fox dislodged the ball and Briscoe pounced, beating two KR defenders before haring off down the touchline. He outpaced Michael Dobson before seeing off another two covering defenders to touch down for a sensational 80-metre score.

Tommy’s tackle

Hull FC 20-16 Hull KR – July 15, 2010

If you thought 2008 was Briscoe’s finest derby moment, think again. His try was a magical effort, but the winger proved his value at the other end of the field as well two years later. A nail-biting encounter at the KC Stadium saw the home side leading by just four points as the clock ticked past the 79th minute. The Robins were just 20 metres from a match-winning score, but on the fifth tackle. The ball went wide, and with the Airlie Birds’ defence stretched to breaking point, Josh Charnley gave winger Peter Fox the ball. But with Fox diving into the corner, Briscoe came flying over. With a super-human effort, he somehow bundled his opposite number into touch. And after a long deliberation the video referee confirmed what everyone suspected – Briscoe’s hit was indeed a match-saving tackle.

Etihad ecstasy

Hull FC 30-32 Hull KR – May 26, 2012

The two sides had played out a few Magic Weekend belters since the introduction of the event in 2007. But nothing compared to what followed in 2012 at the Etihad Stadium. The Robins were well behind in a pulsating encounter; 30-16 down to their rivals with just 15 minutes left on the clock. But tries from Sam Latus and then Michael Dobson ensured a nervy finish. And there was still more to come. Hull KR put together one final attack, but nothing seemed on when Kris Welham shipped the ball out to David Hodgson. But the winger skipped passed Brett Seymour, did Will Sharp for pace before beating Matty Russell to touch down in the corner. Cue mad celebrations in the Red-and-White end, bragging points safely in the bag for the trip back up the M62.

Magic Weekend controversy

Hull FC 22-16 Hull KR – May 25, 2013

If Hodgson and Hull KR stole the headlines in 2012, a year later, it was Hull FC’s turn to grab the glory with some late drama. The Robins led 16-6, with Greg Eden, Craig Hall and Alex Brown all scoring to give them a comfortable lead. But it was FC’s turn to harness their comeback spirit as Tom Lineham and then Kirk Yeaman went over. Daniel Holdsworth had a chance to win it with his conversion, but dragged his kick wide. But, with a draw looking likely, Holdsworth made amends. His high kick foxed Eden and Chris Green sprinted through to ground the ball for a winner. Try given. But controversy followed as replays showed Green was offside when collecting the ball. Not that the Airlie Birds cared, two points in the bag and Magic Weekend revenge dished out.

Heroic Hall

Hull KR 21-20 Hull FC – April 17, 2014

The traditional Easter fixture saw a traditional Hull derby cracker and it was former FC player Craig Hall who proved to be KR’s Easter bunny. In reality, Rovers should have sealed the points easily. They led 20-10 with 20 minutes to go thanks to another former Airlie Bird Graeme Horne scoring two tries. But FC hit back and leveled things up, Danny Houghton and Fetuli Talanoa both crossing to make it 20-all. Into the one point territory then, but when Travis Burns missed for KR, it seemed unlikely either side would win it. Hall had other ideas, slotting home that late winner to give his side’s fans a memorable derby win.