Round 17
Hull FC 14 d. Salford City Reds 12

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

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

Hull FC win first home match in 16 weeks
Sat June 20, 2009
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Hull FC earned their first home win in 16 weeks to put an end to their recent run of poor form as they nervously overcame Salford City Reds at the KC Stadium.

The win, built on first-half tries from Gareth Raynor and Motu Tony, was their first on home soil since a 28-12 success against Catalans Dragons on February 27 and relieves the pressure on coach Richard Agar, who was given a vote of confidence on Thursday after presiding over a run of just two victories in 12 outings.

Six of those 10 defeats have come at home and Agar will no doubt be pleased to have seen his side get back to winning ways on Humberside.

They have never lost to Salford at home in the engage Super League and avoided doing so here by shutting down man of the moment Richie Myler.

The Salford scrum-half is the most sought after player in the Super League at present and is currently mulling over a new contract with the club after his record-breaking performance for England in France last weekend. But other than setting up Jeremy Smith's first-half try, he was unable to impose himself on the contest.

With Graeme Horne and Willie Manu both returning from injury to boost Hull, it was of little surprise that they started well with Horne and Raynor causing Salford a number of problems down the right-hand side.

The effectiveness of the pair ultimately led to the opening try, which Raynor scored after eight minutes following a neat ball from Horne. It appeared as though Raynor may have stepped in touch before grounding his second try in as many weeks, although referee Phil Bentham was unmoved.

Danny Tickle missed the conversion but it looked as though he would not have to wait long for another attempt as Hull, visibly more enthused in defence than they were in their abject 37-22 defeat at Wakefield last weekend, kept Salford penned into their own half in the early exchanges.

That soon changed, though, as Myler laid on a first try of the season for Smith with a slide-rule kick that caught the Hull defence flat-footed. John Wilshere added a simple conversion and Salford led by two points.

Hull fought back well, with Jamie Thackray being held up over the line after a bulldozing run, before Tony eased their worries with a try eight minutes before the interval. Richard Horne did well to drag himself clear of the Salford defence before standing the ball up for the full-back who had the easiest of tasks in crossing the line.

Tickle slotted the goal to extend his run of being the only man in the competition to score in every game this season, before adding a penalty on the hooter to improve Hull's lead.

That lead should have been even greater after the restart as Graeme Horne chose not to pass to Raynor who would have scored the easiest of tries and went alone instead, with his run being relieved by Stuart Littler.

Another Tickle penalty on the 50-minute mark added extra comfort for Hull's lead, although that was quickly wiped out as Salford fought back with a try from Darrell Goulding.

Adam Sidlow had nearly barged his way over following a flat pass from Myler, before on-loan Wigan wing Darryl Goulding skipped in at the corner for a second Salford try, and Wilshere, whose pass set up the score, knocked over a touchline conversion to reduce the deficit to two points.

It took some strong defence from Stefan Ratchford to stop a third Hull score as Danny Houghton craned his way over the line, before Bentham saved the home side from going behind when he pulled Ratchford up for offside when he had scored after Tony made a horrendous error in allowing Smith's punt to bounce in front of him.


Airlie News: Hull FC v Salford City
Fri June 19, 2009
Source: www.hullfc.com

Hull FC have been boosted by the return of Willie Manu and Graeme Horne ahead of Friday Nights clash with the Salford City Reds at the KC Stadium.

Both players have been named in the Black and Whites 19-man squad for the match, which means youngsters Josh Hodgson and Dominic Maloney miss out.

Manu hasn't played since injuring his ankle ligaments in Hull's victory against Castleford at the Murrayfield Magic Weekend while Horne has been nursing a damaged thumb after he had the plaster removed last week.

Both players are expected to feature against Salford, although Head-Coach Richard Agar admits he is leaving the make up of his team to the last minute.

"Both guys were in pretty good form before they got their injuries, just quite what the make up of the team will be, we'll wait, but Willie gives us plenty of penetration and is a go to man for us and Graeme's proved this year he has been playing well, so we'll keep some guys on their toes and bring those two in."

Sam Moa, Paul King and Tommy Lee are all vying for a place on the bench while young loanee Jodie Broughton is expected to retain his place on the wing.

The 21-year-old, on loan from the Leeds Rhinos, was one of the stand out men during last weeks defeat at Wakefield, bagging two tries in the process.

With fellow winger Mark Calderwood set for over a month on the sidelines, Broughton knows this is a great opportunity for him.

"I'm really eager to play well this weekend, especially as I really want to fight for this win that we need to help lift our confidence."

He added, "It is a great chance for me to prove myself, I am out of contract at Leeds at the end of this year, but I have learnt so much from my time here at Hull already, especially Richard [Agar] and I want to get everything from it I can."

Head coach Richard Agar also said, "The fact that Jodie is in the start team shows where we are with our squad, Jodie is still a part-time player and the facts are we've had an awful lot of our original players not available for a number of reasons, but Jodie has been good.

"He made a few mistakes last week, but didn't let it dampen his spirit and enthusiasm and came back stronger, which is something we can all learn from and he got his rewards with a couple of well taken tries in the second half," he added.

It is set to be another interesting tie between both sides with the head to head this season currently standing at one a piece.

The Reds enjoyed a memorable victory over Hull last time they visited the KC Stadium, booking their place in the 5th Round of the Challenge Cup with a 22-18 victory at the start of April.

However, the Airlie Birds squared things up later that month running out 18-14 winners in the Super League match at The Willows.

"In Bombers words, after we played them away, he said 'we'd squared the ledger' so it is winner takes all in this one," Agar said.

Hull have been struggling for form in recent weeks and will be looking to pick up their first win since the Magic Weekend, but full-back Motu Tony thinks a victory isn't too far away.

"If we can get a good performance out of ourselves on Friday night, we will be happy as players and the fans will be happy and some of that confidence will come back," he said.

"Every team goes through a tough patch, this is us going through ours at the minute, but we've got to stick together and train as well as we can and if we can take that on to the field you never know what will happen."

It has been a similar story for Salford recently as well. Following the cup victory earlier in the season they enjoyed an impressive run including wins over Leeds, Huddersfield and Bradford, but more recently they have struggled for consistency, and like Hull, have been plagued by injuries.

Their biggest loss will be skipper Rob Parker. The former Bradford second-rower fractured his skull against Wigan last Friday and now could be faced with over a month without any contact activity.

The experienced Willi Talau and Paul White are also on the long-term casualty list, although Robbie Paul, Adam Sidlow and Jason Walton come back in.

Richie Myler will once again be their pivotal man after impressing for England last week. The 19-year-old wonder kid racked up 30 points in total in Paris and has already set his sights on claiming the national Number 7 shirt before the end of the season.

On East Yorkshire, Hull's biggest news during the week came with the announcement of a new deal for Aussie prop Peter Cusack.

The clubs vice-captain, who was out of contract at the end of the season, has agreed to a further year keeping at the club until the end of 2010.

Cusack said, "I'm really happy and excited about the new deal and I am already looking forward to next year.

"Being injured at the moment is frustrating and for me it feels a bit like unfinished business. I would have hated to leave in this position and now I feel I have a chance to make my mark, play well and contribute to this side playing well."

Hull FC Head Coach Richard Agar said, "Pete is a good bloke and a terrific professional, he trains very hard and has a great influence on the other players. He has been a club captain and is our vice-captain and he sets good standards within our club."

"I think we will see his leadership and influence come to the fore next year and he will have a big role to play next season. He has played in winning teams throughout his career, he can see the potential we have here to do that and it is something he wants to be part of."

However, Cusack won't feature against Salford as he is still sporting a cast on his dislocated wrist, which will prevent him returning to action until just before the end of the current campaign.

It will be the 24th time both sides have met in Super League, with Hull going in search of their 20th victory against The Reds.

However, Head Coach Richard Agar knows taking on Bomber's side is never easy.

"Richie Myler is getting a lot of press on the back of his England performance, and he's a pretty good kid actually and certainly he'll be coming with a spring in his step.

"He bagged the winning try last time they were at the KC and they have some good individual players and some big men in the pack and I'm in no doubt they will provide a stiff test."

He added, "Our position hasn't changed, if we can just get that one win and lift the confidence we'll be ok. Course we need to rectify our form and one win will help us."

TALKING POINTS
Cusack signs contract extension
Willie Manu and Graeme Horne return for Hull
Robbie Paul returns for Salford
Shaun McRae returns to his former club

SQUADS
HULL FC: Berrigan, Broughton, Burnett, Dowes, Houghton, G Horne, R Horne, King, Lee, Manu, Moa, Radford, Raynor, Tony, Thackray, Tickle, Thorman, Whiting, Yeaman

SCR: Wilshere, Goulding, Henry, Smith, Myler, Sibbit, Cashmere, Alker, Stapleton, Swain, Turner, Littler, Leuluai, Paul, Ratchford, Adamson, Jewitt, Walton, Sidlow

HEAD 2 HEAD
HOME: played 11, won 11, drawn 0, lost 0, for 411, against 148
AWAY: played 12, won 8, drawn 0, lost 4, for 283, against 239
TOTAL: played 23, won 19, drawn 0, lost 4, for 694, against 38

LAST MEETING
SAT 25 APR- The Willows, Att: 4,165
Salford 14-18 Hull FC

LAST FIXTURES
Sat 13th June, Belle Vue, Att: 4,721
Wakefield (23) 37
T: M Blaymire 1, M Peterson 1, T Martin 2, D Brough 1, D Ferguson 1
G: T Martin 1, D Brough 5
DG: D Brough 1

Hull (0) 22
T: J Broughton 2, K Yeaman 1, G Raynor 1
G: D Tickle 3

Fri 5th June, JJB Stadium, Att: 11,550
Wigan (28) 34
T: G Carmont 1, P Richards 2, T Smith 1, M Riddell 1, H Hansen 1
G: P Richards 5

Salford (6) 18
T: M Henry 1, M Alker 1, L Swain 1
G: J Wilshere 3

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