Round 24
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 24 l. Hull FC 42

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

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

Blistering second half establishes Hull FC in 4th spot
Sat August 18, 2007
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Hull FC established themselves firmly in fourth place in the engage Super League after a sterling second-half performance helped them overcome Wakefield by 42-24 at Belle Vue on Friday evening.

With the last play-off place that guarantees home advantage come the end of the season on offer for the winner, Wakefield had looked likely victors when 14 first-half points from stand-off Jamie Rooney gave them a deserved 24-16 lead at the interval.

But a superb showing from scrum-half Mathew Head - largely anonymous for the first period - spurred Peter Sharp's side into action, with early tries from Danny Tickle and Gareth Raynor setting them on their way and from there they never looked back, keeping John Kear's men scoreless for the second 40 minutes.

The Black and Whites will now go into the break for the Challenge Cup final knowing they will hold at least a two-point cushion over their fellow play-off contenders.

They started as though they meant business too, with the in-form Willie Manu collecting Jason Demetriou's knock-on to race 50 metres to the line and open the scoring in the fifth minute.

Richard Horne then saw yellow for holding Ryan Atkins. Horne was the first of four players to be sent to the sin bin by referee Phil Bentham with Wakefield duo Ricky Bibey and Adam Watene later following, the former for a similar offence, the latter for a high shot on Paul King midway through the second-half.

Rooney and Tickle traded penalties before Atkins posted Wakefield's first try after Brett Ferres created an overlap, before Craig Hall's 13th score of the season was immediately cancelled out by Demetriou's effort which came on the back of a superb offload from Olivier Elima.

Further penalties from Tickle and Rooney followed, before Rooney swung the tie firmly in the home side's favour with eight points just before the hooter.

A third penalty was succeeded by a try after Ben Jeffries carved open the Hull defence and found the supporting England international, with his conversion only underlining his side's advantage.

Kirk Yeaman nearly crowned his return from injury with a try just after the break, only for video referee Ashley Klein to decide that Rooney and not the Great Britain centre had grounded a loose ball after Rooney made a hash of collecting Head's kick.

Former St George man Head was now running the show from the centre of the field with a subtle kicking game and a superb range of passing and he played a key part in Hull reclaiming their lead.

First, Tickle highlighted his importance to the Hull cause with a close-range try and touchline goal to pull them within two of their hosts before Head sent a delightful looping pass to the touchline where Raynor gratefully collected and squeezed into a gap to score.

With Wakefield now deflated, they had a try of their own chalked off by Klein who deemed Dale Ferguson spilt possession and their anguish was confirmed when Head registered his first try in the English game

A further score from Richard Whiting confirmed Hull's sixth win from seven games, with Motu Tony's try after Yeaman and Lee Radford combined adding further gloss to an impressive display.

Tickle finished with seven goals from his nine attempts.

Report source: www.superleague.co.uk

Article: Sharp happy with Hull


Airlie News: Hull FC v Wakefield Trinity
Fri August 17, 2007
Source: www.hullfc.com

After last weekends outstanding 46-14 victory over top six rivals Warrington Wolves at the KC Stadium, coach Peter Sharp says it's crucial Hull FC back it up against Wakefield at Belle Vue tonight in another crunch game.

With five wins in their last six matches, Sharp is not taking anything for granted.

"It goes without saying the next game is the most important," he said. "I know it is an old cliche but we have to take each game as it comes around because our destiny is in our hands and we can't afford to get any further ahead of ourselves than the next match.

"It is week by week and after getting rid of Warrington tomorrow's game against Wakefield is the most important for us this year without any shadow of doubt.

"We have just got to win it, it is as simple as that and we have to remember they are also in the same boat as us.

"We have out ourselves in a position where every game is critical, that's our doing and nobody else's."

Without question former Hull coach John Kear's side have been the surprise package of the season and they have defied the odds and made a mockery of those who had them relegated before a ball had been kicked.

"They have had a great season," he added. "It is going to be a really tough test for us because they are playing with a lot of enthusiasm, confidence and belief.

"They have a big pack and sharp backs and they have a good six and seven who play well together and as individuals.

"Considering everyone was writing them off at the beginning of the season they have done remarkably well and maybe they are in a "let's prove everyone wrong" frame of mind.

"The coaching and playing staff has done remarkably well and what is also pleasing for the British game is that they have brought in some youngsters, Fox and Blaymire who have taken the opportunity and done well."

TON UP:
Fullback Shaun Briscoe makes his 100th appearance for the club since joining them from home-town Wigan in 2004, and said: "It's a real honour to reach 100 games and hopefully I can celebrate with a win."

After scoring in last weeks 46-14 win over Warrington, Richard Horne is two tries away from his century, and said: "As I said last week I'll settle for a win first and if I score or get the two tries for my 100 then that will be a bonus."

When Horne does hit the 100 mark he will be the 20th player to have reached a ton for Hull. Amazingly he will only be the fourth half back, following in the footsteps of Tommy Finn, Brian Hancock and Terry Devonshire.

MILESTONES:
Shaun Briscoe - will make his 100th appearance for the club against Wakefield.

Kirk Yeaman - six games away from his 150th and needs four points for 300. He needs 4 points for 300 for the club

Garreth Carvell - three games away from his 150th Hull appearance. He has made 61 starts and has come off the bench 86 times. He also needs 8 points for his 100.

Motu Tony - 4 points away from his 100.

Craig Hall: also 12 points away from a 100 for the club.

Paul King: needs 15 more points to hit the century mark

Danny Washbrook: four games away from his 50th

Richard Whiting is now eight games away from his century

Richard Horne: needs two tries for a career century and four for his 100 for Hull. He will become only the fourth half back to hit this milestone following in the footsteps of Tommy Finn, Terry Devonshire and Brian Hancock.

BIRTHDAYS:
No Hull player has a birthday in August.

September:
Kirk Yeaman - 15th
Danny Washbrook - 19th
Danny Houghton - 25th

LEADING POINTS SCORERS:
TRIES:
12 - Craig Hall, Matt Sing
11 - Richard Horne
9 - Shaun Briscoe
7 - Kirk Yeaman, Danny Tickle, Gareth Raynor, Willie Manu

GOALS:
70 - Danny Tickle
20 - Craig Hall

POINTS:
168 - Danny Tickle
88 - Craig Hall

LAST SIX:
2007:
April 28: Wakefield 18, Hull FC 20

2006:
March 19: Wakefield 20, Hull FC 28

2005:
September 11: Wakefield 20, Hull FC 32
May 22: Wakefield 28, Hull FC 35
April 3: Wakefield 12, Hull FC 36

2004:
April 3: Wakefield 21, Hull FC 27

Hull has lost only two of the 23 Super League games they have played against Wakefield, which included a 19-6 defeat at the KC Stadium earlier this year. The only time they have lost away was 35-28 in 2003.

News sent by: www.hullfc.com

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