Hull KR kept their grip on the city's biggest rivalry, beating Hull FC 28-20 to make it nine consecutive derby victories and climb into the Super League play-off places (BBC Sport).

The win lifted KR into fifth in the Super League table — the cut-off point for the end-of-season play-offs that decide the championship. For Hull FC, it was a sixth straight loss, and just one win in their last 11 matches.

This was also Willie Peters' final derby as Hull KR head coach, and his players sent him off on the right note — though the script did not open that way.

Hull FC stormed into a 12-0 lead inside the opening 10 minutes. Joe Batchelor and Davy Litten both crossed for early tries, and with Zak Hardaker adding the goals, the home side looked in command. For a club that has found little joy in this fixture for nearly three years, the fast start must have felt like a statement of intent.

KR had other ideas. They chipped away steadily and levelled the match at 12-12 by half-time, flipping the momentum of the contest inside 40 minutes.

The second half belonged to the visitors. Tom Amone, Arthur Mourgue, Jack Broadbent, Joe Burgess and Jordan Dezaria all scored tries for KR, with Mourgue kicking the goals from the tee. In rugby league, a try is worth four points and a successful kick at goal adds two, so five tries alone produces 20 points — enough to outscore Hull FC's entire total on the night.

The standout moment came from Burgess, who read a Hull FC pass on his own line and raced 95 metres to score untouched. An intercept try from that distance is as deflating for the team that throws the pass as it is thrilling for everyone watching.

Hull FC's third try came from Jake Arthur, and Hardaker finished with four goals from four attempts — three tries and four kicks adding up to their 20 points — but they could not close the gap in the closing stages.

The match was the second Hull derby of the season. KR also won the first, played on 4 July as part of the league's Magic Weekend — a full round of fixtures staged at one venue. On that occasion, Hull FC head coach Andy Last was left frustrated by refereeing decisions, according to Love Rugby League. Referee Chris Kendall took charge again on Thursday night.

Hull FC were without forward Yusuf Aydin, ruled out after a Grade One concussion — the lowest severity grading for a head injury, but one that still requires a mandatory return-to-play protocol (Love Rugby League). Head injuries are treated with caution across the sport, and players must clear graduated steps before being cleared to play again.

Sky Sports broadcast the match live on Sky Sports+ (Sky Sports).

For Hull KR, the equation is straightforward: results are going their way at the right end of the season, and a play-off spot is now in their hands. For Hull FC, the problems run deeper than any single derby. One win in 11 is relegation form in a league with no relegation, but it is the form of a side searching for answers with the season entering its final stretch.