Round 17
Hull FC 30 d. Harlequins 16

2006 English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: United Kingdom > National > First Grade Competition: English Super League

Hull FC overcome Quins challenge
Sat June 17, 2006
Source: www.hullfc.com

Hull resisted the challenge of Harlequins at the KC Stadium to equal the club record of nine straight engage Super League victories.

Such has been the level of their performance over the previous eight games that this success may well be viewed as routine, as despite posting three tries, Harlequins offered little to suggest they were capable of backing up last weekend's win over Warrington.

Peter Sharp, fresh from winning the coach of the month award for May, installed Kirk Dixon and Richard Whiting as his left-hand side, due to the absence of Kirk Yeaman (injury) and Gareth Raynor (disciplinary).

Harlequins' boss Tony Rea was again without playmaker and captain Mark McLinden, although Henry Paul did his best to fill the void.

After a promising start by Hull during which Whiting spurned a good chance by spilling the ball, Harlequins edged into a surprise early lead.

Marshalled well by Paul, they made their way down field after 10 minutes, where Luke Dorn was able to step his way over the line.

Paul goaled for a 6-0 advantage and for a period Hull were unable to get out of their half.

The situation soon changed though, when Motu Tony posted a try to level matters.

After good work from Paul Cooke, Tony ducked under the cover defence to cross.

Cooke, radically improved with the boot over recent weeks, converted from wide out.

He did the same again on the other side of the field just six minutes later too, after Lee Radford collected Sid Domic's pass to crash over the line.

Domic was playing a larger part in proceedings by this stage and he had a hand in the try of the game just before the 30-minute mark.

After Nathan Blacklock had raced clear of the Quins' defence, Domic collected his flick pass before supplying the supporting Richard Horne for his 12th try in 11 outings.

The try was symptomatic of Hull's form over the last two months and Cooke's goal sent them in 18-6 ahead at the break.

After a muted start to the second half, it was again the visitors who were the first to post a score, again not in accordance with the run of play.

After watching Domic spurn a chance to push Hull further ahead, Quins seized on a handling error close to his own line by Cooke, to reduce the deficit, through Chad Randall.

The hooker barged over from close range, although Paul's conversion crashed against the post, leaving the score at 18-10.

Putting a further handling error from Graeme Horne behind them, Hull tempered Harlequins' fires somewhat, with Whiting marking his first appearance since April 17 with a try.

Tony was again involved, kicking through for the centre to ground, whilst Cooke continued to excel, converting from the touchline.

Graeme Horne then joined brother Richard on the scoresheet as any Harlequins hopes of a comeback were put to bed, although they did post the last score of the game as Dorn grounded his second try in the final minute.

Report source: www.hullfc.com

Advanced Search