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Hull FC vs Huddersfield (H) 24 - 30 L |
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10/08/08
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KC Stadium
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T Alibert
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Huddersfield Giants
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24 - 30
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Huddersfield Giants’ recent good form continued as they registered a
fifth win in eight games and a first victory over Hull FC at the KC
Stadium.
The four-try success was further proof of the improvement that the
Giants have made under the caretaker guidance of Paul Anderson and
Kieron Purtill and, as a result of their recent streak, they now have
an outside chance of reaching the play-offs if they can win their last
three games.
Hull's season is all but over apart from their Carnegie Challenge Cup
final appearance against St Helens in 20 days' time, but their chances
for that took a huge dent with the loss of Adam Dykes just nine minutes
into this game.
The 31-year-old scrum-half has endured an injury-ravaged debut season
in England and could now be set to miss the Wembley date, as could
goal-kicking forward Danny Tickle who limped off 10 minutes from the
end.
Despite the loss of Dykes, Hull were able to open up a 14-0 advantage
midway through the first half, only for Huddersfield to strike back
with three quick tries which saw them lead 18-14 at the interval.
Hull had already gone close twice by the time Danny Houghton opened the
scoring in the 10th minute, with Tom Briscoe and Kirk Yeaman both being
swallowed up by the Huddersfield defence when close to the line, so it
was of little surprise when they did break the deadlock.
Houghton was only on the field as a result of Dykes' withdrawal but was
well-placed to take in a pass from Willie Manu after the forward had
pierced his way through the Huddersfield defence.
Tickle added the goal but it was Manu who was causing Huddersfield the
most problems and he was the architect Hull's second try six minutes
later.
Briscoe did well to barge his way through a tackle and stand a ball up
to Manu, but the Tongan still had to outpace Martin Aspinwall, which he
did before dispatching a superb pass into the chest of the onrushing
Shaun Berrigan who sped in for his seventh score of the season.
Tickle added the extras and a penalty just after the 20-minute mark,
which seemed to galvanise Huddersfield who soon found their feet and
fought back.
Their comeback started with the introduction of New Zealand test hooker
David Faiumu from the bench for his debut, as he started his new career
in the best possible fashion by laying on a try for Paul Whatuira.
Buoyed by their breakthrough, the Giants dominated the rest of the half
and deservedly scored a second try when Jamahl Lolesi followed up Chris
Thorman's kick to ground as the home defence looked on.
Then, with just seconds to go until the interval, Luke Robinson
conjured an opening on the right and Aspinwall made no mistake in
barging his way over the top of Gareth Raynor to score with Thorman
converting from the touchline.
Hull replied after the interval, though, with Graeme Horne going over
following a Danny Washbrook pass to push his side ahead, only for
Thorman to bring Huddersfield level again with a penalty.
The visitors were dominating the game by now and soon posted their
fourth try when Whatuira took advantage of Briscoe's fumbling of
Thorman's kick to scrape his way over the line for his second of the
game.
A further Thorman penalty opened up an eight-point Huddersfield lead
but he was also forced off the field with a knock, and as he left he
witnessed Briscoe sneak in behind David Hodgson to touch down Tommy
Lee's kick and give Hull a fighting chance of a late revival.
But Huddersfield were able to cling on for a deserved victory which was
secured by a long-range penalty from Robinson with just two minutes
remaining. |
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| Berrigan, Briscoe, Carvell, Cusack, Dowes, Dykes, Hall, Houghton, Lee,
G. Horne, Manu, Radford, Raynor, Tickle, Thackeray, Washbrook, Sing,
Yeaman. |
Aspinwall, K. Brown, Crabtree, Cudjoe, Faiumu, Griffin, Hodgson,
Hudson, Jackson, Jones, Kirmond, Lolesi, Mason, Raleigh, Robinson,
Snitch, Thorman, Whaturia, Wild. |
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