Hull KR 26 Hull FC 12: Willie Peters' side show champion qualities to breathe life into Super League title defence
Being champions comes with a different kind of pressure.
Expectations rise, pressure builds and any dip in form is quickly amplified.
Hull KR arrived at Magic Weekend carrying more than the burden of bragging rights.
With injuries mounting and their title challenge beginning to wobble, the champions needed a response in the pressure cooker of a derby. They found it when it mattered most.
The expectation that comes with success has defined KR's season. This was the afternoon they showed they could still thrive under it.
It was a timely reminder of what they are capable of, coming a week on from a chastening night at Headingley.
Rovers still have work to do to close the gap to Leeds Rhinos and the rest of their title rivals but they showed resilience and composure to maintain their derby dominance.
The Robins have now won nine of the 10 meetings with Hull FC under Willie Peters, evidence of the gulf that has developed between the old foes.
For Hull, this was a rare chance to halt that sequence – and it went begging. They were level with 13 minutes remaining, only for Rovers to reassert themselves and reopen derby scars.
Having pushed Wigan Warriors close last time out, the Black and Whites again showed signs of improvement but it was another one of those days for the Airlie Birds and their supporters on the big stage at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Hull remain without a derby victory since 2023 and now face the prospect of watching the Robins gain impetus from the most welcome of wins.
Peters' side looked more like the Hull KR of 2025 as they opened up a 10-0 lead.
Jesse Sue and Tom Briscoe had already had tries chalked off at either end by the time Mikey Lewis opened the scoring.
The half-back chipped a kick over to the left edge and kept moving to take Jack Broadbent's pat-back and coast over in the corner.
Lewis' eighth derby try represented the ideal start for a team desperate to regain momentum after a sobering defeat.
Already without Dean Hadley, Tom Amone, Sam Luckley and Tevita Pangai Jr, Rovers suffered another scare when Jesse Sue was forced off for a head injury assessment.
But KR's depleted pack continued to make dents in Hull's defence and were soon celebrating their second try.
A couple of plays after being held up, Rhyse Martin hit a good line to take Lewis' pass and romp in.
The Black and Whites could have been forgiven for having a familiar sinking feeling but they quickly regrouped to issue a response.
The try came with a good omen, Jake Arthur – whose previous four efforts had contributed to victories – combining skill and strength to force his way over.
But that was as good as it got for Hull in a first half that struggled for tempo and fluency.
Davy Litten suffered a match-ending head injury as Sue returned for the Robins and the Airlie Birds fell further behind when Martin knocked over a penalty following a tip tackle by Cade Cust on Karl Lawton.
Hull had one more challenging set to survive before half-time and came out with renewed energy on the other side of the break.
Andy Last's men had to wait only four minutes for their reward, Arthur putting Briscoe over in the corner with a sublime long pass.
Zak Hardaker nailed the touchline conversion before levelling the scores from a penalty at the end of a long period of Hull pressure.
The Black and Whites threatened to seize control at the start of a fascinating final quarter when Amir Bourouh sliced Rovers open through the middle.
But the chance came to nothing and the Robins drew on their big-game experience to get over the line.
Broadbent bombed a golden opportunity but KR were not to be denied.
Jez Litten produced the defining moment with a solid hit that dislodged the ball from Lewis Martin's grasp, allowing Jai Whitbread to pick up the pieces and score the try that broke Hull's resistance.
Tyrone May made sure of the result from Litten's grubber kick and Martin provided the icing with a penalty following a ball steal.
On this evidence, there is life in the champions yet.
Hull will get another shot at their rivals later this month but this is another lost season for the Black and Whites.
Hull KR: Hampshire, Davies, Hiku, Gildart, Broadbent, Lewis, May, Sue, Litten, Whitbread, Batchelor, Martin, Minchella. Substitutes: Booth, Lawton, Dezaria, Leyland.
Tries: Lewis (17), Martin (23), Whitbread (67), May (73).
Goals: Martin 5/6.
Hull FC: Moy, Briscoe, Hardaker, Litten, Martin, Arthur, Sezer, Ese'ese, Bourouh, Hill, Batchelor, Clark, Bell. Substitutes: Cust, Salabio, Mata'utia, Cartwright.
Tries: Arthur (27), Briscoe (44).
Goals: Hardaker 2/3.
Referee: Marcus Griffiths.