Hull KR 36 Huddersfield Giants 6: Willie Peters gets fitting Craven Park farewell as Robins extend play-off run
It says everything about Hull KR's remarkable rise that a play-off place is no longer enough.
Willie Peters' final season at Craven Park has been judged a disappointment despite securing a spot in the top six with a round to spare – a measure of the standards he has established during four transformative years.
He has had bigger nights here but his final home game ended with a performance much more befitting of the team he has moulded.
While this was not the Rovers of their treble-winning campaign, it was a step in the right direction after three straight defeats.
The win, coupled with St Helens' defeat to Leigh Leopards, confirmed a fourth straight play-off campaign on Peters' watch.
The defending champions will start from the back of the field but they do not have to look far for inspiration after going all the way last year.
Peters now has the option of resting players for next week's trip to Saints, an approach that paid dividends ahead of a testing assignment against in-form Huddersfield Giants.
The KR team that ran out on Friday night was unrecognisable from the inexperienced outfit that lost heavily at Wigan Warriors – and Peters was repaid with a vital victory.
A nervy start was a distant memory by the end of the first quarter.
Rovers visibly grew in confidence after hitting the front through captain Elliot Minchella as the 10th minute arrived.
The Robins set up camp on the Huddersfield line and the visitors could only hold them out for so long, Minchella taking advantage of a tiring defence to crash over from close range.
Suddenly, the old Hull KR swagger was back.
Arthur Mourgue stepped back inside to score before Jack Broadbent started and finished an ad-lib play from Tyrone May's deflected kick.
Rovers showed the other side of their game in the second quarter as their emotions boiled over.
Indiscipline has been a hallmark of a frustrating campaign and the home side became increasingly ragged.
To their credit, the Giants made life uncomfortable for the Robins after stemming the tide and scored a deserved try on the stroke of half-time thanks to Tanguy Zenon's determined finish.
Rhyse Martin eased any anxiety with a penalty after Huddersfield were penalised in possession and there was no way back for the away team.
Rovers spurned a series of opportunities before eventually putting the game to bed.
After Jez Litten burrowed his way over from acting-half, Mourgue accepted a gift from Minchella to complete his double.
Huddersfield arrived at Craven Park with a spring in their step following five wins in six matches but this was a game too far for Jim Lenihan's side.
Tom Davies rounded off a convincing win with a walk-in try on a night when Rovers lifted for their departing head coach.
Hull KR: Broadbent, Davies, Hiku, Gildart, Burgess, Mourgue, May, Sue, Litten, Amone, Hadley, Whitbread, Minchella. Substitutes: Luckley, Martin, Lawton, Leyland.
Tries: Minchella (10), Mourgue (13, 67), Broadbent (17), Litten (63), Davies (70).
Goals: Mourgue 3/3, Martin 3/4.
Huddersfield Giants: Evalds, Milne, Gagai, Halsall, Jagger, Lolohea, Clune, Powell, Woolford, King, Cozza, Greenwood, Rushton. Substitutes: Rogers, Rush, Billington, Zenon.
Tries: Zenon (39).
Goals: Lolohea 1/1.
Referee: Marcus Griffiths.