Round 2
Celtic Crusaders 20 l. Hull FC 28

2009 engage English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

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

Tickle spoils Celtic's maiden home game
Sun February 22, 2009
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Hull FC ace Danny Tickle ran riot in Bridgend to spoil Celtic Crusaders' maiden engage Super League home fixture.

The second rower was in devastating form as he ran over for a hat-trick of tries and booted four conversions to give the Humbersiders a second victory of the campaign.

The Welsh club took the lead early on when stand-off Damien Quinn went rushing through on the left after he was put in by Chris Beasley for the opening try of the game - and the historic first one scored in Wales by a home club.

The noisy home crowd roared second row Marshall Chalk, was put in by skipper Jace Van Dijk in the 22, over the line for a second try.

A conversion from Josh Hannay meant the Crusaders were 10-0 up and on the crest of a wave.

However, Hull calmed matters down and, after Shaun Berrigan had scored the first try when he got past Van Dijk, they began to assert their authority.

Tickle got his first touchdown on 36 minutes with a second conversion putting Hull into a 12-10 lead.

And two more either side of half-time meant Hull surged into a 24-10 lead and left the Welshmen floundering.

The atmosphere went quiet midway through the match after Chalk got his second try - but it picked up when Mark Calderwood went over in the closing minutes for an unconverted touchdown, before Crusaders' try machine Tony Duggan got a consolation at the end.

Tickle produced a commanding performance - although Calderwood was sin-binned for a high tackle in the second half.

However, it was a mere blemish for a Hull side who were left celebrating a perfect start to the campaign, following their victory over Wigan Warriors on February 13.


Hull FC set to create a piece of Welsh Rugby League history
Sat February 21, 2009
Source: www.hullfc.com

Hull FC will create a piece of Welsh Rugby League history tonight (6pm) when they become engage Super League new boys Celtic Crusaders first opponents at the Brewery Field, Bridgend.

The Crusaders have played both their Super League games away to Leeds Rhinos and Salford City Reds but tomorrow they take on Hull FC in front of their own passionate fans.


It promises to be quite an occasion and Hull Head Coach Richard Agar said he and his players were looking forward to being part of this historic night.

Agar knows it will be very emotional, especially for the Crusaders and while he wants his players to feed off that emotion he doesn't want them to get overwhelmed by it.

It has been something Agar and his players have spoken about in the build up to the game and he said: " We expect it to be a very emotional night and I am sure they will have a few things going on for what we expect to be a healthy crowd to see this opening Super League game.

"The fans will be very partisan and vociferous and I would hope these are things which can inspire us. It is a good occasion for us to be involved in; it is creating a piece of history, but what we have to guard against is getting carried away with it all. We have to remain fully focused on our game and plans."

After Hull's excellent 18-10 victory over Wigan, Agar said: "It was an excellent start and something we are looking to build on.

"I thought defensively we were very sound but I think that down the good end of the park we need to up our execution a little bit.

"But it was the first time our nine, seven and six had played together and we will be looking for that to develop a little more.

"As I have said down the right end we just need to pick up the pace a little more and get into the holes better. This is something we have been working on all week and I am confident it will get better."

Having beaten Wigan and now facing a side who have lost both their opening games the danger is complacency, which Agar is fully aware of and said: "We cannot afford to be complacent and that is something we have touched on this week.

"We have already spoken about it and the key is to ensure our individual preparation and attitude is right."

Despite having lost to both Leeds and Salford, Agar expects Celtic to be tough opponents, especially in their first home game.

The start will be crucial, and he said: "Start is probably the key word because in the two games they have played they haven't started particularly well. I am quite sure this is one area they will be looking to rectify.

"They will be pumped up and that will help the way they start so we are going to have to be on top of our game from the off to combat it.

"I am sure they will be rugged and competitive and we are expecting a tough, fiery encounter.

"These are all challenges we have to accept and overcome."

Hull have only made one change to the 19-man squad they named for the Wigan game. Prop Dominic Maloney is called in for the first time since he joined the club from Dewsbury Rams in the close season to replace Paul King who has a shoulder problem.

Hull may field an unchanged team, but Agar said: "I am not ruling out changes at this stage but it is pretty safe to say that the team that started against Wigan will probably be the one to start tomorrow.

"We have had a look at Celtic and will make a call later. It is down to horses for courses."

Hull FC 19-man squad:

Byrne, Hall, Briscoe, Calderwood, Yeaman, R Horne, G Horne, Thorman, Dowes, Cusack, Maloney, Thackray, Berrigan, Houghton, Tickle, Burnett, Manu, Radford, Washbrook.

Fri February 20, 2009
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