Round 27
Hull FC 20 d. Bradford Bulls 10

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

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

Hull secure home advantage with win over Bradford
Sat September 15, 2007
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Hull secured home advantage for their first match in this year's engage Super League play-offs thanks to a fine 20-10 win over Bradford Bulls at the KC Stadium.

Their first victory over the Bulls this season - inspired largely by the outstanding Danny Tickle - ensures they will welcome either Huddersfield or Wigan to the KC Stadium next weekend.

Huddersfield Giants are more than likely to be their opponents, barring a defeat at the hands of Hull KR on Saturday.

With Bradford coming into the tie knowing only a win would allow them a chance of leap-frogging Leeds into second spot, they started well by bossing the first half but, having failed to achieve more than a 4-4 scoreline at the break, they were made to pay in the second.

With Shontayne Hape making his comeback after six months out, the Bulls were the only side in the contest for the opening 40 minutes.

In a nervy and largely uninspiring half, Tame Tupou posted the only try with Tickle's two penalties evening the balance.

It was perhaps rough justice for Bradford, although, despite their domination, they were only able to call on Tupou's 19th-minute effort as their solitary chance.

His try apart, the first half was notable only for the withdrawal of Mathew Head. The scrum-half has been the star of Hull's run to the top six and, no doubt to coach Peter Sharp's worry the injury-prone Head failed to return.

Tickle's two penalties, in the 29th and 39th minutes ensured Hull restored parity, albeit undeserved.

The second half began in a much more animated fashion, with both sides opting for a more expansive style.

With the Bradford left-hand side of Tupou and James Evans beginning to cause some problems, it was of little surprise when Richard Whiting was sent to the sin bin for holding the latter after a break.

Therefore, it came completely against the run of play when Graeme Horne handed Hull a 46th minute lead.

Tracking Evans after another break, the second-row managed to strip the ball from the centre and then, with the Bulls defence off-guard, race 60-metres to the corner for a superb individual score.

Their joy was short-lived, however, as David Solomona filled a gap created by Ian Henderson's delightful pass to score, with Iestyn Harris' goal handing the power back to the visitors.

Hull's pack, led by the magnificent Paul King were starting to dominate though and were able to take a lead that they never surrendered shortly after the hour.

When referee Richard Silverwood handed Hull a dubious scrum 30-metres out, they seized the opportunity to press on and, having stepped into Head's shoes, Tommy Lee held up a neat pass which was gathered in and converted by the onrushing Tickle.

With the game seemingly up, Bradford had one final chance to take the spoils only for Nathan McAvoy to inexplicably spill the ball forward with the line at his mercy after Hape had dumped a pass over the top of Gareth Raynor.

To compound McAvoy's misery, Whiting played football with a loose ball for 30 metres along the right touchline before grounding for a third Hull try.

Report source: www.superleague.co.uk

Article: Hull earn Sharp praise


Bulls Eye: Bradford v Hull FC
Fri September 14, 2007
Source: www.bradfordbulls.co.uk

In this week's Bulls Eye, head coach Steve McNamara looks ahead to tonights final engage Super League round of 2007 season as the Bulls travel to the KC Stadium to take on Hull FC with second place in the table still up for grabs.

STEVE McNAMARA
IT'S THE FINAL ROUND OF THE SEASON THIS WEEK. HOW DO YOU LOOK BACK ON WHAT HAS GONE?
It's been great and it's been a really exciting year. There has been some drama, lots of great games, some highs and some lows and we are still in there sitting or third in the table. We still have a chance of making second and make no mistake about it, we would have been delighted to have been secured in second spot and looking forward to a week off but we still have a chance and all we can do is keep our end of the bargain up on Friday. Hull did us a favour last week by beating Leeds but we certainly won't be doing them any favours this week. At this stage it is about finishing as high as possible and we will be putting as good a side as we can out this week. We are not resting anyone at all we; we are going there to perform. We like these sorts of games; Friday Night Football, big crowd, away from home, going into the cauldron that is the KC. Hull have a lot to play for and I think the intensity will make it like a Play Off game.

WHAT DO YOU THINK MAKES A TRIP TO THE KC STADIUM SO FORMIDABLE?
I think it's the intensity of the crowd that makes games against Hull at the KC so special. When you travel across there you know there is always going to be a big vocal following and the Hull sides tend to have a lot of local kids in their side, which makes a big difference on some occasions. We tasted success there once already this season and it was a good performance from us that night and we are hoping it will be again.

They are in very good form. I know they had the loss against Hull KR but apart from that I think they have won something like seven of their last nine games and they are in pretty good nick for the Play Off's. They were Grand Finalists last season, have had a bit of adversity this time and come through it and I think they are a very good side that can stretch anyone in the competition. They have got over losing Paul Cooke and have brought Matthew Head in now and given some opportunities to some other players. They have taken time to bed in but now they have they are showing their true colours.

SHONTAYNE HAPE IS BACK THIS WEEK. HOW BIG A BOOST IS THAT FOR YOU?
It's a massive boost for us and it's a credit to Shonny that he has managed to get himself back before the end of the year. He is a world class player but he has to hit the ground pretty much running berceuse it is his last chance to stake a claim for a spot in the team for the Play Off's, whichever game we end up in.

He has to come back strong and he's got to come back quick or else, like any other player, he has to stake a claim for a spot. He is a great person and a great player and I know he will handle what is required of him. He knows the situation because you can't go into the Play Off's picking players on reputation.

SQUAD
Steve McNamara has been able to name the following 18 Man Squad. Shontayne Hape and Tame Tupou are both back in the Squad

The Squad is: St Hilaire, McAvoy, Tupou, Feather, Henderson, Solomona, Evans, McKenna, Burgess, B Harris, Lynch, Morrison, Vagana, James, I Harris, Newton, Platt, Hape

MILESTONES
PAUL DEACON, who has kicked 112 goals from 138 attempts this season for an average of 81.16%, needs six goals for a career total of 1,000.

The scrum-half currently has kicked 996 goals including 21 drop goals. He has kicked 979 for Bradford and 15 in representative matches. He has kicked 10 goals or more in a match for Bradford on nine occasions, including a best feat of 12. He has finished as the top goal scorer in all matches in a season three times.

TERRY NEWTON needs one try for a career century of touchdowns in club and representative matches. He has scored 6 for Leeds Rhinos, 74 for Wigan Warriors, 15 for Bradford Bulls and 4 in representative matches. He also played two matches on loan at Bramley without scoring. His 99 tries have come in 338 appearances.

News sent by: www.bradfordbulls.co.uk

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