Match Report: Hull 22-10 Giants

Match Report: Hull 22-10 Giants

What happened in Hull’s Round One clash with Huddersfield

Match Report News

Hull FC began a new era under Head Coach Brett Hodgson with a 22-10 victory over Huddersfield Giants.

In the first round of the 2021 season, Hull displayed solid defensive characteristics when required, whilst demonstrating their clinical edge in attack with tries through Jake Connor, Josh Griffin and new recruit Josh Reynolds.

A pair of Marc Sneyd penalties put the game well beyond Huddersfield, who could only muster a couple of consolation tries through Ricky Leutele and James Gavet late on in the second half.

Team News

Former New South Wales halfback Reynolds started in his first Super League appearance, whilst Griffin made his 100th club appearance for the Black & Whites.

Jamie Shaul, Jack Brown and Masi Matongo were absent through injury for Brett Hodgson’s side.

There was no Aidan Sezer for the Giants, with last season’s Man of Steel nominee missing out with a minor injury.

New Huddersfield coach Ian Watson named six of his off-season recruits in the squad, including former FC forward Josh Jones.

The Match

After a cagey first fifteen minutes, it was the Black & Whites who drew first blood. Connor’s soft dummy allowed him to glide through the Huddersfield defensive line, and he was too strong for Darnell McIntosh as he planted the ball down. Sneyd converted to make it 6-0.

What an impact the opening try made in the game, as Hull looked in the mood for more points following a smart ball steal from Ligi Sao. Interchange play between Reynolds, Sneyd and Connor sent Griffin through a tight line to score on his 100th Hull appearance. Sneyd’s conversion made it 12-0.

The scoreline could have been different as the side’s headed into the dressing rooms for half-time, but for some magnificent defending from the Black & Whites.

Hodgson’s side almost crowned the first half display with a sensational effort in the last play of the first 40. Savelio’s break sent Tuimavave and Fonua away down the right edge, before Sneyd’s tantalising kick into the in-goal area ran just dead.

HALF-TIME: Hull 12-0 Giants

After a positive start to the second half, Hull extended their lead by a further two points. A high tackle on Joe Cator 15 metres out from the Giants try line gave Sneyd the simple task of converting from in front of the posts.

Despite Kenny Edwards being sent to the sin bin, the Giants defended resolutely to keep themselves in the game, but shortly after his return from the sidelines, it looked as though Hull had wrapped up the two points as Reynolds latched onto a Sneyd grubber kick to score on debut. Sneyd tagged on the extras.

To keep the scoreboard ticking, Sneyd knocked over another penalty goal from in front of the sticks with 13 minutes to go.

Hull’s hopes of keeping a clean sheet were destroyed with 11 minutes on the clock as Leutele managed to evade one tackle and plant the ball down from close range. But Oliver Russell’s conversion attempt struck the post, so it remained 22-4.

James Gavet crossed the whitewash in the last play of the game after he coasted into a big hole left by the Hull defence, but it hardly took the gloss off a complete opening round performance.

FULL-TIME: Hull 22-10 Giants

Squads & Scorers

Hull: Connor, Swift, Griffin, Tuimavave, Fonua, Reynolds, Sneyd, Satae, Houghton, Sao, Savelio, Ma’u, Lane

Hull Interchanges: Bowden, Cator, Scott, Taylor

Hull Tries: Connor, Griffin, Reynolds

Hull Goals: Sneyd (5/5)

Giants: Gaskell, McIntosh, Leutele, Cudjoe, McGillvary, Cogger, Russell, Yates, Cunningham, Gavet, Greenwood, McQueen, Jones

Giants Interchanges: Edwards, English, O’Brien, Wilson

Giants Tries: Leutele, Gavet

Giants Goals: Russell (1/2)