Round 20
Hull FC 20 d. Harlequins 8

2007 engage English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

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

Head out of Hull FC clash
Fri July 13, 2007
Source: www.hullfc.com

HULL FC'S new signing Mathew Head has lost his fight to recover from a shoulder injury for tomorrow nights clash with Harlequins.

Head came close but it has been decided not to risk the Australian half-back this week. However, he is confident he will be fit and ready to play against Catalans Dragons in Perpignan next week

Coach Peter Sharp has left Head and Graeme Horne out of his 18-man squad, which means 18-year-old hooker Danny Houghton has edged even closer to making his debut.

Sharp has not made a final decision yet on the hooker position, which is vacant following the injury to Wayne Godwin (broken bone in his foot) and the retirement of former Kiwi international Richard Swain.

With Thomas Lee set to replace Head at half-back it looks as though the hooking duties will fall to either Danny Washbrook or Houghton.

Hull FC (from): Carvell, Dowes, Hall, Houghton, R. Horne, King, Lee, Manu, Maiava, Radford, Raynor, Sing, Tony, Tickle, Washbrook, Whiting, Wheeldon, Yeaman.

News sent by: www.hullfc.com


Airlie News - Hull FC v Harlequins
Thu July 12, 2007
Source: www.hullfc.com

Hull FC coach Peter Sharp takes a look at Friday's game against Harlequins at the KC Stadium (8pm).

After their derby win over Hull KR last weekend, Hull are desperate to back that victory up and close the gap on their top six rivals.

With a trip to France coming up next week, Sharp would like his side to take on the Dragons with two straight wins behind them.

Hull FC set out in July knowing they had an excellent chance to boost their top six claims and they have started well with last weeks 30-20 derby victory over Hull KR at Craven Park.

That's phase one achieved, now they face phase two, which is Friday's home game against Harlequins.

It is a game Hull believes they can win, despite the Quins being something of a bogey side at the KC Stadium having won on three of their five visits.

Coach Peter Sharp certainly believes his side can win, especially after that confidence boosting victory at Craven Park.

Sharp is fully aware of the major threat the Quins pose to his side, and revealed: "They are a very difficult side to beat and we will have to be on top of our game to get the points from this one.

"Harlequins are on of those sides which hang in, they tough it out and they also make it hard for you to play your normal game.

"Brian McDermott has done an excellent job and they thoroughly deserve to be fifth in the ladder, which is two spots above us.

"They are a team that does grow with confidence and they have a lot of talented players, like Scott Hill, who has done well for them since his arrival from Australia, Chad Randall, a player I have always admired, Danny Orr, Tyrone Smith and of course Mark McLinden, who is a major threat to anyone and has proved a massive thorn in our side many times.

"We know that to win we're going to have to be on our game but we're confident and last weeks win has given everyone a real lift."

Second-row forward Danny Tickle's 14 point haul in the derby took him over a 1,000 career points and he'd be delighted to nudge himself a little closer 2,000 against the Quins.

"It's great that," he said. "It's a nice milestone but what's important is we (Hull) put together a little winning sequence.

"The Rovers result was a good one but it is important we back it up against Harlequins and then in our next two games against Catalans and Salford.

"If we can do that it will take us right up the table into the top six which is where we want to be."

Hull skipper Lee Radford will be having a few words with his former Bradford Bulls team mates Brian McDermott after the game and he said: "I hope it is me smiling and not him.

"Brian has done a great job with Harlequins since he took over and they are a tough team to beat. We will have to play well to get the points but it is important we do."

News sent by: www.hullfc.com

Wed July 11, 2007
• Teenager Houghton gets chance following Swain's departure
  

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