Round 2
Hull FC 14 d. Huddersfield Giants 6

2010 engage English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

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

Hull FC continues good form
Sat February 13, 2010
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Fresh from winning at St Helens in the opening round of the new Engage Super League season, new-look Hull FC claimed another scalp as they beat Huddersfield Giants at the KC Stadium.

Richard Agar's side took the plaudits for their 32-12 win at the GPW Recruitment stadium last weekend and continued their early season promise here, as they battled hard to overcome last season's Carnegie Challenge Cup finalists and their reigning coach of the year Nathan Brown.

The foundations for their win were laid by their pack, who put in a brutal performance to dominate their opponents who were often rudderless in the absence of Man of Steel Brett Hodgson, who missed out with a back injury.

Both of their tries came in the first half courtesy of Danny Tickle and Craig Hall, but it was the performance of hulking prop Mark O'Meley that caught the eye, with the former Australia international often unplayable during his two 20-minute spells.

Hull, who were beaten 24-0 by the Giants the last time the sides met on Humberside, named an unchanged side to the one that impressed a week ago and barely seemed to have broken stride from their win at Saints as they went in front after six minutes.

A fierce run down the left from Willie Manu set up the score, which was eventually executed by Tickle as he barged over the top of Lee Gilmour after taking in Shaun Berrigan's pass.

Further tries could and should have followed, with Hall's forward pass ending a flowing move started by Sean Long's break, while Richard Horne was pegged back by Leroy Cudjoe after he broke through.

The closest Huddersfield came to scoring in the opening half was Jamahl Lolesi's failure to ground the ball after he beat Tom Briscoe to Kevin Brown's kick after 21 minutes, something Hull took full advantage of by scoring their second try less than 60 seconds later.

Hall was the scorer this time, flying in by the right corner flag after Long, the impressive Epalahame Lauaki and Richard Whiting had linked up in another slick move.

Without Hodgson's leadership and creativity, Huddersfield struggled badly to get a foothold in the game but they should have halved the deficit just seconds before half-time.

Luke Robinson took advantage of a rare gap in Hull's defence and raced clear but, rather than passing to the supporting Cudjoe, he opted to hold onto the ball and was dumped to the floor by Jordan Tansey.

Robinson's break proved to be a precursor for a Huddersfield revival after the break, though, and Scott Grix dragged four Hull defenders over the line with him as he registered his first try for the Giants after 45 minutes.

With O'Meley off the field, Hull laboured to get out of their own half and as a sign of their need for stability, Tickle kicked a 55th-minute penalty to buy them some breathing space.

Huddersfield thought they had scored again on the hour when Lolesi crossed in the corner, only for referee Thierry Alibert to bring them back for a forward pass, while David Hodgson was denied a breakaway try with 14 minutes remaining after it was deemed that he had knocked on when charging down Horne's pass.


Hull FC unchanged for Friday's showdown with Huddersfield
Thu February 11, 2010
Source: www.hullfc.com

Hull FC Head Coach Richard Agar has named an unchanged squad for Friday's visit of Huddersfield Giants to the KC Stadium.

After an impressive victory over St.Helens last weekend, Agar has opted for the same group of players he named for that clash.

Sean Long will be looking to continue his superb form following an emphatic Man of the Match performance against his former club last weekend, while it will be the battle of the big men against the Giants, with the likes of Epalahame Lauaki and Mark O'Meley no doubt set for important roles.

Danny Washbrook and Jordan Turner are both named in the squad once again, despite missing out on the final cut for against Saints, but they both highlight the options Richard Agar has at his disposal.

There is no place for winger Mark Calderwood who is still out injured, otherwise, Agar has picked from a fully fit squad.

Meanwhile, former FC player Graeme Horne makes a rapid return to the KC Stadium having signed for Huddersfield in the closed season and looks set to face his brother Richard

The in-form 2009 Man of Steel Brett Hodgson will be looking to continue where he left off against Bradford, while young winger Leroy Cudjoe is also included once again after impressing against the Bulls.

Hull FC:Berrigan, T Briscoe, Cusack, Dowes, Fitzgibbon, Hall, Horne, Houghton, Lauaki, Long, Manu, O'Meley, Radford, Tansey, Tickle, Turner, Washbrook, Whiting, Yeaman.

Huddersfield Giants: B. Hodgson, Cudjoe, Lolesi, Whaturia, D. Hodgson, Brown, Robinson, Crabtree, Lunt, Gilmour, Fa'alogo, Raleigh, D. Griffin, Lawrence, Faiumu, Grix, Aspinwall, Patrick, Horne.

Wed February 10, 2010
• East Stand set for sell-out for Hull FC v Huddersfield
  

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