Hull FC 20 Hull KR 34: Willie Peters signs off with another derby triumph as champions rediscover identity

Three weeks after beating Hull FC at Magic Weekend, the Robins fell 12-0 behind in the final derby of the year before producing a stirring comeback to extend their remarkable record against their rivals.

This was a different kind of derby victory.

KR's season was on the line at the MKM Stadium after back-to-back defeats left Willie Peters' side with just three wins from eight games.

But, as the pressure mounted, the champions found something that has been missing for much of the past two months: they found themselves again.

It was not a perfect performance but it did not need to be. Peters had asked his players to get back to what they do best and, when the heat was on, they did exactly that to breathe new life into their title defence.

In a game that demanded character, Rovers slowly but surely rediscovered the identity and standards that marked them out as the team to beat.

That they overturned a two-try deficit without star half-back Mikey Lewis only underlined the significance of a victory that could yet change the course of their season.

A ninth derby win in a row took KR back into the play-off positions and continued their dominant streak at the MKM Stadium.

Peters has enjoyed some of his greatest triumphs in Hull's backyard, leading the Robins to World Club Challenge glory there before adding another victory to his collection when it mattered most.

For the coach who has made this fixture his own, it was the perfect way to sign off his derby career.

This was another night to forget for Hull, however, in a season that unravelled long before KR crossed the river.

The Black and Whites have now lost 10 of their last 11 Super League games to go with their miserable derby record.

This felt like their big chance to redress the balance of power in the city.

With confidence in short supply on both sides, the importance of a strong start was magnified in the third derby of the season.

The Black and Whites were blown off the park by Leigh Leopards in the first half of their previous outing on home soil but they seized the early initiative against their fiercest foes.

Rather than provide the lift the out-of-form Robins needed, a try-saving effort by Tom Davies and Peta Hiku on Davy Litten was merely a sign of things to come.

KR's ill-discipline has been a feature of their form slump and it cost them again in the opening exchanges of Thursday's clash.

Hull turned two penalties into tries, Joe Batchelor backing up a burst by Aidan Sezer to open the scoring before Litten raced through to finish Jake Arthur's deft kick.

The Black and Whites had their rivals where they wanted them and there were signs of desperation from Rovers despite the clock being on their side.

Momentum was building behind the panic-induced errors, led by powerhouse prop Tom Amone.

After a series of strong carries, he was the man to haul his team back into the derby by crashing over from close range.

There were shades of the World Club Challenge as Amone celebrated with a roar and KR were starting to look more like their old selves again.

A burst by the dangerous Jez Litten came to nothing but the Robins kept pushing and were level by half-time, Arthur Mourgue recovering from a difficult start to sneak over from acting-half.

Hull were the team facing the questions at the interval – and they could not find the answers.

Although Zak Hardaker edged the hosts back in front from a penalty, Rovers had already seen Joe Burgess bomb a golden opportunity.

The visitors did not let the next chance pass them by thanks to a special effort from Jack Broadbent to race through and beat Logan Moy to Litten's high kick.

It was the type of commitment that underpinned KR's golden year and there was further proof of a revival in the way they defended their lead.

The Robins rediscovered their famed intensity to pen Hull in and celebrated with gusto when Davy Litten lost the ball during a high-pressure set.

The Black and Whites could find no way to stem the tide.

Sandwiched between two penalties conceded by Amir Bourouh and turned into points by Mourgue, Burgess raced 90 metres after picking off Arthur's speculative pass to score the decisive try.

Arthur touched down Hardaker's improvised kick but Jordan Dezaria had the final word with a strong finish to complete another successful MKM Stadium mission for Rovers, who may just be finding their voice again.

Hull FC: Moy, Barron, Hardaker, Litten, Briscoe, Arthur, Sezer, Salabio, Cust, Hill, Batchelor, O'Neill, Bell. Substitutes: Bourouh, Clark, Ese'ese, Wood.

Tries: Batchelor (4), Litten (8), Arthur (75).

Goals: Hardaker 4/4.

Hull KR: Broadbent, Davies, Hiku, Gildart, Burgess, Mourgue, May, Sue, Litten, Hadley, Whitbread, Batchelor, Minchella. Substitutes: Amone, Luckley, Lawton, Dezaria.

Tries: Amone (31), Mourgue (39), Broadbent (47), Burgess (62), Dezaria (77).

Goals: Mourgue 7/7.

Referee: Chris Kendall.