Hull FC and Hull KR first played each other in 1899. Since then, the two sides have met 246 times, with some huge derby clashes taking place over the years.
But which ones have been the biggest ever? Ahead of Saturday’s huge Challenge Cup quarter-final tie, here’s ten of the very best, from Wembley, league championship finals, to the Super League era.
The first meeting
1899: Hull KR 8 Hull FC 2
The first ever meeting between the two clubs took place 125 years ago, just months after Hull KR had gained Northern Union club status for the 1899/1900 season. It was played at Craven Street in front of over 14,000, with the Robins victorious 8-2 over Hull, a proud 1895 foundation club. They scored through Starks and Kemp, with Hull's only points coming through a William Jacques goal. Nonetheless, rugby league's greatest rivalry was born.
Ten of the best
1921: Hull FC 16 Hull KR 14
The only time the two Hull clubs have decided a league title was way back in 1921. They finished first and second in the table and faced off in the championship final, having contested the Yorkshire Cup final earlier in the season, a game Rovers won 2-0. But it was Hull who would taste victory on the grandest stage. Their side back then featured some absolute club legends - from Jimmy Devereux to Jim Kennedy, Billy Stone, Bob Taylor, and most significantly of all, Billy Batten, one of the greatest ever to play the game. Tries came from Devereux and Stone while Taylor added a brace. Kennedy kicked two goals with Hull securing back-to-back titles after a 3-2 win over Huddersfield the year before.
1923: Hull FC 6 Hull KR 16
Hull, title winners in 1920 and 1921, finished top of the pile in 1923, with Rovers fourth. However, it was the Robins who would upset the apple cart, heading to the Boulevard and winning 16-6 to set up a Championship final tie against Huddersfield. They won 15-5, securing their first ever title.
1967: Hull KR 9 Hull FC 6
Hull's Chris Davidson may have won the White Rose Trophy as Man of the Match, but it was Roger Millward who led the Robins to victory over the Black and Whites at Headingley. The 1967 Yorkshire Cup final saw Rovers lead 7-0 at half-time after tries from Millward and Alan Burwell. But it was Hull who showed spirit after the break. They scored through Davidson and added two further goals, but it wasn't enough to halt a Rovers cup final victory.
1979: Hull FC 13 Hull KR 3
Hull were branded as a bunch of ‘has beens’ before the 1979 Floodlit Trophy final at the Boulevard, but it was the 'has beens' who were celebrating long into the night. Steve Hubbard crossed for Rovers’ only score, but it was Hull, promoted back to the first division, who toppled the reigning league champions. They scored through Graham Evans, Steve Dennison, and Charlie Birdsal, with Steve Hubbard replying for the Robins.
1981: Hull KR 11 Hull FC 7
The Premiership winners weren’t classed as the league title holders, but it was still a fun competition to win, and no one was telling Hull KR any different after their 1981 success at Headingley. Tries came from Phil Hogan, Steve Hartley, and Mike Smith, with Mick Crane replying for Hull.
1984: Hull FC 29 Hull KR 12
When Rovers led 12-0 in the Yorkshire Cup final at Boothferry Park, Hull must have been thinking, ‘Here we go again.’ But Peter Sterling, one of the club’s true greats, had other ideas. The Australian half-back was at his best to steer the ship and ensure Hull scored 29 unanswered points to win the game. Two Gary Kemble tries followed, with Lee Crooks, Steve Norton, and Steve Evans also crossing over. Garry Schofield added four goals and a drop-goal, ensuring Hull’s last-ever triumph in the old country cup competition.
1985: Hull FC 0 Hull KR 12
A total of 25,326 supporters squeezed into Boothferry Park to watch Phil Hogan inspire Rovers to a 12-0 John Player Trophy final victory over Hull. The clash was the last major final won by the Robins, who, after securing the league title a few months later, have endured a near 40-year wait for a major trophy. But this was their day, with Hogan on the scoresheet alongside Garry Clark and Gary Prohm.
2007: Hull FC 22 Hull KR 14
Monday 9 April, 2007 marked the return of the Hull derby after a ten-year hiatus, but it was worth the wait. Early tries for Danny Tickle and Shaun Briscoe put the hosts ahead before Luke Dyer hit back for Rovers. Matt Sing then extended the advantage, but David Tangata-Toa and Andreas Bauer tries put Rovers back within two. The game, played in front of 23,002, would only be settled in the final minute, with Sid Domic going over near the posts and uppercutting his teammate Ewan Dowes in the following celebrations. Ouch.
2012: Hull FC 30 Hull KR 32
Hull were 30-16 up at the Magic Weekend, but what followed was one of the most crazy derby comebacks ever. Step up: David Hodgson. Completing the turnaround, the Rovers winger evaded tackles and beat the Hull defence on the outside to race away and score in the corner. As for Magic moments, that's right up there. Manchester was rocking.
2016: Hull KR 20 Hull FC 22
As the hour mark approached at Craven Park, Rovers were 20-0 up. What could go wrong? But Hull, who would go to taste Wembley glory five months later, produced a sensational comeback to stun their hosts and win 22-20. Tries for Jamie Shaul, Danny Houghton, and Mahe Fonau followed, before Steve Michaels stepped up to score the winner. Marc Sneyd kept his cool to edge Hull ahead and later on, ice the Challenge Cup final as Lance Todd Trophy winner. An incredible derby win, and to think what might not have happened without it.
And the greatest ever...
1980: Hull KR 10 Hull FC 5
‘Last one out, turn the lights off.’ The most famous Hull derby ever came at Wembley in 1980, with over 95,000 people there to see it. It was Hull KR’s day, with Roger Millward leading Rovers to a history-defining victory. They scored through Steve Hubbard, who also added three goals, with Millward, who played with a broken jaw, landing a drop-goal. Hull replied through Tim Wilby, but it wasn't enough, with the Robins holding on to secure their finest hour.
To Saturday…
Saturday’s Challenge Cup tie will be the 12th time Hull and Rovers have met in the Challenge Cup, the last of which was in 1986. Here’s the previous 11 results, with Hull holding the edge at six wins to five.
1986: Hull KR 22 Hull FC 6
1980: Hull KR 10 Hull FC 5
1978: Hull FC 9 Hull KR 7
1977: Hull KR 12 Hull FC 7
1974: Hull FC 2 Hull KR 13
1972: Hull FC 7 Hull KR 5
1961: Hull FC 16 Hull KR 3
1959: Hull FC 23 Hull KR 9
1939: Hull KR 8 Hull FC 5
1922: Hull KR 0 Hull FC 10
1902: Hull KR 5 Hull FC 10
What's in store this time around? Who knows, but as always, may the best team win.
