Round 10
Hull FC 14 l. Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 21

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

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

Wakefield moves into 3rd spot
Sat April 18, 2009
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Wakefield Wildcats continued their excellent start to the engage Super League season with a win over Hull FC that moves them to third in the table.

John Kear's men twice trailed, 6-0 and 14-8, in Hull's 100th game at the KC Stadium, yet despite being the side that the Black and Whites have beaten the most during that century of matches they were able to come back and secure a third win in eight days.

It was Danny Brough, a Challenge Cup winner with Hull in 2005, who proved to be the difference between the sides, creating two of Wakefield's tries and landing a crucial drop goal midway through the second half that set his beleaguered former club on the way to a sixth straight defeat in all competitions.

Still smarting from last weekend's derby defeat to Hull Kingston Rovers and Monday's nine-try mauling by St Helens, Richard Agar's men now sit in eighth place, just a month after they had shared the top spot following five successive wins at the start of the season.

Hull marginally enjoyed the better of the first half, though, and led by four points at the break, but only because of Brough's failure to convert either of Wakefield's tries.

The Wildcats started the better of the two, with Sean Gleeson twice threatening the line, only for Hull to open the scoring with 10 minutes gone.

Wakefield were penalised for a high shot on Willie Manu and, after Chris Thorman's penalty sent Hull down the field, Danny Washbrook produced a smart cut-out pass to send Mark Calderwood in for his third score of the year, which was improved from the touchline by the boot of Danny Tickle.

Calderwood was in the thick of the action and was fortunate not to be penalised by referee Gareth Hewer for appearing to fumble Brad Drew's kick close to his own line, before he raced 60 metres from a 20-metre restart in a scintillating run that was relieved by Matt Blaymire's ankle-tap.

Wakefield opened their account with 23 minutes gone through Jason Demetriou's first score of the year.

An error at the play-the-ball from Craig Hall handed them possession and Brough's pass gave Demetriou the opportunity to barge over the top of Manu, which he did.

A second score followed soon after and again it was on the back of a Hull error.

Hall was involved again, as was Calderwood, with the pair indecisive as to who should field Drew's kick.

In the end Calderwood took the ball in, but saw it immediately stripped by Tony Martin who spun and fed Scott Grix to score in the corner.

But Hull were not to be denied a half-time advantage, with Mike Burnett marking his return from eight weeks out with an ankle injury with a simple score under the posts after another Washbrook pass. Tickle's goal opened up a 12-8 interval lead.

Wakefield were comfortably the better side upon the resumption of the game, but were solely responsible for being unable to make quick inroads on the deficit as they consistently turned the ball over when they had good momentum, with Tevita Leo-Latu and Damian Blanch notable culprits.

Tickle punted a 38-metre penalty with 53 minutes gone to hand his side six points' worth of breathing space but that was wiped out a minute shy of the hour mark as Wakefield drew level.

Brough was again involved, this time offering up the ball that gave young forward Jay Pitts his try score of the season, while Scotland captain Brough was finally able to convert from almost in front of the posts to make it 14-14 with a quarter of the game remaining.

Brough then displayed his almost priceless value to the Wildcats with a one-pointer that rifled over the bar from close range with 13 minutes remaining, before Oliver Wilkes sealed Wakefield's success with a walk-over try under the posts after neat work from Drew.


Airlie News: Hull FC v Wakefield
Fri April 17, 2009
Source: www.hullfc.com

Hull FC are looking to end a run of five straight League and Cup defeats when they entertain in form Wakefield Trinity Wildcats at the KC Stadium tonight (8pm).

With three long-term injuries, Hull picked up another three over the Easter period and Head Coach Richard Agar revealed it has been a difficult week, especially when it came to naming his 19-man squad.

Although Hull have named a 19-man squad, Agar said that it may change before the game as the club were awaiting medical reports on a couple of players.

Having signed 20-year-old Leeds Rhinos wing or centre Jodie Broughton for a second time to fill a gap in a depleted back division, Agar revealed that he would play against the Wildcats.

Broughton made five appearances for Hull last season and scored a try, and Agar said: "The final make up of the team is still subject to a couple of medical checks but Jodie will play.

"We have obviously got a number of injuries in the back three area. Skinny (Todd Byrne) is out for the season, Motu Tony, Gareth Raynor and Tom Briscoe are injured.

"We played Graeme Horne on the wing on Monday and had Chris Thorman and Danny Washbrook at full back which tells you we need some reinforcements in that area.

"Jodie is available and the fact he has been here before is a real help. He knows us and we know what a good kid he is.

"He is an intelligent kid, he has got a real freshness about him, and he's also full of enthusiasm.

"His form in Leeds' Reserve grade has been pretty good this season and he played well in their trial games at the beginning of the season - I think he scored a hat trick in one of the games. He will enjoy being here and we'll enjoy having him."

Agar revealed: "It has been difficult this week to name a 19-man squad. I am sure we are not the only club that's finding it tough.

"But we're not playing ducks and drakes; we're not trying to pull a fast one over anyone. We're waiting for clearances on a couple of players."

Looking ahead to the game, Agar added: "We made a terrific start but we are going into this game on the back of five defeats and we know we're going to have to dig a win out.

"Although we looked a tired bunch at St Helens the boys are very determined to get back on track.

"Discounting Easter Monday we have suffered narrow defeats. In fact, in only one of the game out the five we have lost have we been outscored in tries so we know we're not far off even though we're not playing well."

Agar was able to revealed some good news surrounding prop Peter Cusack and the knee injury he picked up in the derby. He said: " It's good news on Pete and we expect him to be fit next week.

"We had some concerns around his knee after the derby game. It was similar to an injury Craig Hall had last year but it has settled down and now we have the results of the scans it is going to be okay.

"Should the swelling subside he'll be back in contention next weekend, which is great news."

Milestone:
Kirk Yeaman needs one try for his 100 for the club

Super League record against Wakefield:
Home: played 12, won 11, drawn 0, lost 1, for 413, against 208
Away: played 14, won 13, drawn 0, lost 1, for 417, against 298
Total: played 26, won 24, drawn 0, lost 2, for 830, against 506

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