Round 7
Harlequins 22 d. Hull FC 12

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

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

Quins edge out Hull FC in bruising encounter
Sun March 29, 2009
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

David Howell grabbed a crucial late try as Harlequins RL battled past Hull FC with a 22-12 win at the Stoop in engage Super League.

The Australian centre crashed over with less than 15 minutes remaining to decide a bruising encounter between two sides with play-off aspirations.

Quins will be especially delighted with the win after regulars Matt Gafa and Will Sharp withdrew through injury before kick-off.

With torrential rain and a howling wind the game was never likely to be a free-flowing spectacle, and the first half was a war of attrition where neither side took control.

Hull had the early pressure and were rewarded when Danny Tickle slotted a penalty.

But with both sides struggling to find any rhythm, the first quarter was merely punctuated by misjudged kicks by Danny Orr and Chris Thorman on the last tackle.

However, as the half wore on the game began to open up and the hosts took the lead when Chad Randall elected to run on the last tackle, allowing Tony Clubb to power his way through a number of tackles to score.

The lead was short-lived however, as after Gareth Haggerty was penalised for dissent, the visitors spread the ball wide and centre Kirk Yeaman scampered over in the corner.

Tickle missed the conversion, meaning the sides went in all square at the break.

Both sides showed far more attacking intent in the second period and it remained a tight contest.

The hosts regained the lead minutes after the restart when Jason Golden burrowed his way over, but Hull bounced back when Craig Hall grounded Thorman's kick through after confirmation from the video referee.

But as the clock ticked down it was the Londoners that stepped things up and, after Orr booted a penalty, Howell crashed over from Randall's pass to open an eight-point lead.

Orr then kicked another penalty to wrap things up.


Airlie News: Hull FC v Harlequins (inc Audio)
Sat March 28, 2009
Source: www.hullfc.com

Hull FC are looking to get back to winning ways and head Coach Richard Agar knows that the match against Harlequins RL is going to be a tough encounter.

With only one change to the 19 man squad, Agar is showing confidence in his crop of players. Prop forward Paul King is the addition to the squad after his performance in the reserve team last weekend.

"Paul has recovered well from his shoulder injury and he came through really well after two short spells of 15mins and 22mins in the reserve game. We've put Paul in the 19 man squad and he may get a shout at selection this weekend. We are very impressed with his recovery and he did everything we asked of him in the game."

The Quins who started their engage Super League campaign with a close victory against the Tigers have had some ups and downs again this season with some big wins and some big losses, Agar knows they are a team that should not be underestimated.

"We are certainly not going to underestimate the Quins they are very honest and a hard working side who really dig in for each other and that is a reflection of Brian McDermott who has that will to win.

"Looking at stand out players; Chad Randall at hooker, a lot revolves around him and he will test the ruck area out. He is a very smart dummy half, he is not quick of feet but he is between the ears; He is a very intelligent footballer. Danny Orr is very instrumental in what the Harlequins do also."

"They have had a funny old season so far, I have watched three of their games. One was a 60 point champagne football performance and another was a 40 point drubbing but I don't think that reflected the game. Their ball control was poor on the occasion, which put them under pressure defensively but they were definitely second best on the day."

Harlequins are one of Hull FC's bogey sides and everyone involved will be looking to rectify that on Saturday night.

"As a squad we have tried to get all that out of our minds this year. Things about travel, hotel stays and all other superstitions. We are trying to banish those kind of things and not make them significant factors. We haven't had great results against them in past years but looking at last year we took a big lead and scored more tries but didn't kick the goals so we haven't been far off. In terms of bogey sides it's not something that I genuinely believe any team has a mystic hold over you."

Hull FC Squad: Hall, Calderwood, G. Horne, Yeaman, Briscoe, R. Horne, Dowes, Berrigan, Cusack, Tickle, Manu, Radford, Houghton, Washbrook, Lee, Moa, King, Thackray, Thorman.

Harlequins RL: Clubb, Dorn, Gafa, Gale, Gardner, Golden, Haggerty, Heckenberg, Howell, Mbu, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Melling, O'Callaghan, Orr, Randall, Sharp, Temata, Ward, Wells.

Home: played 14, won 9, drawn 0, lost 5, for 283, against 216

Away: played 14, won 3, drawn 2, lost 9, for 274, against 335

Total: played 28, won 12, drawn 2, lost 14, for 557, against 551

To listen to comments on this game from Richard Agar and Lee Radford please click here

Fri March 27, 2009
• McDermott names local lad in 19 man squad
  

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