Round 24
Hull FC 24 l. Huddersfield Giants 30

2008 engage English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

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

Huddersfield continues recent good form
Mon August 11, 2008
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

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.

Report Source: www.superleague.co.uk


Airlie News: Hull FC v Huddersfield
Sat August 9, 2008
Source: www.hullfc.com

After last week's 66-6 defeat against Wigan Warriors at the JJB Stadium Hull FC coach Richard Agar is looking for a response from his side when they take on Huddersfield Giants at the KC Stadium on Sunday (6pm).

After a derby win and that sensational Challenge Cup semi final victory over Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, which took them through to Wembley for the first time in 23 years, Agar admitted after the Wigan defeat, "I always thought it would be tough for us but I don't think there is any excuse for some of the things we saw in this match.

"It is the manner of this defeat which I am disappointed with."

Agar made his thoughts known to his players when they returned to training this week. However his squad were fully aware they had not performed as well as they should have done.

Skipper Lee Radford summed up the players feelings when he said: "It was very disappointing. Unfortunately we all had one of those nights that as a player you hope doesn't happen but if it does you just want to get out on the field again and put it right.

"We have a chance to do that against Huddersfield on Sunday."

Agar is certainly looking for a response and with Huddersfield in good form the Hull boss admitted: "It is a good challenge for us because they have put some good results together recently and will come into the game with a lot of confidence on the back of those results.

"It is a challenge but one we are looking forward too."

He went on to add: "As a group the only way we can put right our performance against Wigan is by showing a suitable response on Sunday.

"As a group we fell short of what is expected so we are hoping to put that right and get back on track."

The signs are that Hull is going to produce that response. Training has gone well and Agar was especially pleased with Thursday's session, which included the first sighting of Great Britain international Richard Horne on the training ground since he suffered a neck injury against Leeds at the KC on March 24th.

After he was given the all clear earlier this week to resume full training, Horne joined in with the rest of the squad, and Agar admitted: "It was great to see him back and it gave everyone a buzz.

"As I said earlier in the week the news concerning Richard is fantastic for everyone, especially him and his family, and seeing him training with the rest of the squad was tremendous."

Having lost 10 kilos in weight, Horne has to put that back on and also get fully fit ? he has hardly trained all season having come into the campaign with a foot injury.

That is going to take time and he will just take it week by week and see how his rehabilitation goes.

Hull and Horne have put no time scale on his return, but as Agar said: "Just having him around as he was on Thursday is a real bonus."

Super League record against Huddersfield Giants

Home: played 11, won 9, drawn 1, lost 1, for 327, against 175
Away: played 14, won 8, drawn 0, lost 6, for 333, against 276
Total: played 24, won 17, drawn 1, lost 6, for 652, against 423

News Source: www.hullfc.com

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