Round 27
Hull FC 18 l. Bradford Bulls 21

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

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

Bulls late run falls just short
Sat September 12, 2009
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Bradford Bulls' gallant fight to secure a 12th successive place in the play-offs ended at the KC Stadium this evening despite their win over Hull FC.

Steve McNamara's side, who have never failed to reach the play-offs since their inception in 1998, came into the game knowing that a fifth straight win coupled with a St Helens victory over the Catalans Dragons would see them scrape into the top eight by the skin of their teeth.

But despite doing their bit with a hard-fought three-try win that was secured by Paul Deacon's late drop goal, the Bulls, one of the most decorated and recognisable sides of the modern era, were left crestfallen at the final whistle as news of the shock Catalans win at Knowsley Road filtered through.

The Bulls' destiny had rarely been in their own hands owing to events on the other side of the Pennines.

But they still gave themselves every chance in a blood-and-thunder affair that was only settled in their favour when Deacon chipped over a one-pointer six minutes from the final hooter, before adding a late penalty.

Despite their own play-off hopes being put to bed a month ago, Hull started the brighter of the two sides and took a seventh-minute lead through Tom Briscoe.

Had the highly-rated young winger not missed 15 games of the season through injury Hull could have been fighting for a play-off spot themselves, and he gave another reminder of his ability when he dived over in the corner after a bullet pass from Lee Radford.

The try had to be approved by the video referee after Briscoe went over the line in two movements, but it was no more than the home side deserved for their start.

The score did not initially stir Bradford who briefly threatened with a length-of-the-field break orchestrated by Steve Menzies and Michael Platt and it took until the half-hour mark for the visitors to fully find their feet.

Their first try came after 31 minutes, with Michael Worrincy steaming onto Deacon's quick pass for a 10th try of a breakthrough season for the young forward. Deacon's goal levelled the scores and his try three minutes before the hooter gave the Bulls the lead.

The try should have been called back for a forward pass from Menzies to Glenn Morrison but once the latter had set Deacon free, there was little doubt about the outcome.

Sam Moa's furious run took Hull close to the line after the restart but Bradford remained the more aggressive and purposeful of the two sides, and extended their lead to two scores through Deacon's 54th-minute penalty.

James Donaldson then further improved that advantage as he crept over in the corner for a second career try two minutes shy of the hour mark.

Hull responded well though, and Graeme Horne bounded over in the corner after a direct run from Jordan Tansey created an opening for him.

Hull then added a further complication to the ongoing mathematics of the night with a try that brought them level.

Briscoe was again the scorer, racing 40 metres after taking in Richard Whiting's pass, before having his run momentarily halted by Paul Sykes. But Briscoe shook himself free of the centre's grasp and went the rest of the distance to the line to score, allowing Danny Tickle to add a third conversion.

With Bradford's fate now looking increasingly perilous, tempers became frayed and Morrison, who is leaving the club after three years, was sent to the sin bin on his final appearance.

With the final whistle having blown at St Helens, Deacon landed his third drop goal of the campaign, before slotting a penalty with the last kick of the game.


Airlie News: Hull FC v Bradford
Fri September 11, 2009
Source: www.hullfc.com

Hull FC coach Richard Agar welcomes back Jordan Tansey following suspension as his side look to finish the season with a bang, while Bradford still have hopes of clinching the final play-off place.

A huge following of Black and White fans is expected at the KC Stadium to get behind the team in the final game of the season, after again impressive support last time out against Wigan.

Hull coach Richard Agar said, "It was fantastic support once again, they are always great. They got behind the boys from start to finish, they were vociferous and it really does make a difference. We must thank them for that."

Agar looks set to chose between the returning Tansey and Richard Whiting for the full-back birth, otherwise it looks set to be a similar side that fell to a hard-working defeat at the DW Stadium.

It may also be the last time a number of players pull on the Black and White for Hull with some set to leave at the end of the season and Agar believes that should give them plenty to play for.

"It will be the last time some blokes play for the club and as a group of players they all want to go out on the right note," said Agar.

"The important thing for us now is to finish on a high, for the fans who have been brilliant and for themselves."

Sadly, the likes of Motu Tony look set to leave the club without being able to bow out in style because of a season ending injury, but head coach Richard Agar is sure he will still get a fond farewell.

"Motu is one who will be leaving us, no one has suffered as much bad luck as him, but he has put in some superb performances in his time here, representing us and New Zealand with great distinction and we all want to wish him and his family the very best for the future."

As one season comes to a close, Hull have once again added to their squad already in preparation for 2010.

This week saw the announcement of the latest new signing Jordan Turner, a man who has impressed Agar.

"He is an eloquent young man, he is versatile and really has the capability to turn himself into a great player at this club.

"He already has some big game experience and he certainly has the ability and the ambition to progress in the game and I am delighted he wants to do that with Hull FC."

A resurgent Bradford come into the game on the back of four straight wins and have named an unchanged squad following their victory over Salford City Reds last time out, still with the chance of bagging a spot in the top eight.

Coach Steve McNamara will be looking for a similarly strong performance this time around, particularly from Chris Nero (3), Jamie Langley (2) and Semi Tadulala (2) who all got amongst the tries last weekend.

McNamara comes up against the club where he spent over 7 years at the Boulevard, while his former team mate and now Hull captain Lee Radford comes up against the side with whom he bagged both league and cup success.

It will be the 32nd time both sides have met in the top flight, with Hull having enjoyed six wins, but suffered defeat on no less than twenty-three occasions.

However, the last time the sides met went in favour of Hull as the Black and Whites secured a 36-24 win over the Bulls at the Grattan Stadium making it five wins from five at the start of the season.

FC star Richard Horne was amongst the tries that day but he knows it will be a difficult challenge against the in-form Bradford.

"We are expecting a big physical game, you look at their pack which has hit form at the right time and they have certainly given themselves a chance of making thee eight," said Horne.

"It will be hard, we know we are in for a game but we know we are capable of producing the goods. It should be entertaining."

Don't forget, the Hull squad will be returning to the field for a lap of honour around the pitch to thank the fans for their support this year.

The players will head to the tunnel first before returning to the field so please remain seated patiently if you wish to wait for the players.

SQUADS
HULL FC: Tom Briscoe, Josh Cordoba, Ewan Dowes, Craig Hall, Josh Hodgson, Danny Houghton, Graeme Horne, Richard Horne, Paul King, Epalahame Lauaki, Willie Manu, Sam Moa, Lee Radford, Gareth Raynor, Jordan Tansey, Chris Thorman, Danny Tickle, Danny Washbrook, Richard Whiting.

BRADFORD: Sykes, Langley, Sheriffe, Kopczak, Donaldson, Scruton, Menzies, Jeffries, Godwin, Cook, Halley, Nero, Lynch, Tadulala, Morrison, Burgess, Worrincy, Platt, Deacon.

HEAD 2 HEAD
HOME: played 16, won 4, drawn 2, lost 10, for 297, against 365
AWAY: played 15, won 2, drawn 0, lost 13, for 248, against 545
TOTAL: played 31, won 6, drawn 2, lost 23, for 545, against 910

LAST MEETING
Bradford Bulls 24-36 Hull FC, Grattan Stadium, Sun 15th Mar

LAST FIXTURES
Fri 4th September, The DW Stadium, Att: 12,491
Wigan (10) 34
Hull (6) 22

Sun 6th September, Grattan Stadium, Att: 8,167
Bradford (24) 44
Salford (6) 18

Thu September 10, 2009
• Bulls Eye: Bradford v Hull FC
  

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