The Black & Whites made it back to back wins for the first time this season with a gritty 14-6 victory over Huddersfield Giants.
Tries from Mitieli Vulikijapani and Andre Savelio were enough for Brett Hodgson’s men to battle their way to victory, with Hull showing some resolute defence to grind their way to victory.
Team News
Hull welcomed back Manu Ma’u for the first time this season having recovered from a pre-season injury, while Jordan Lane and Connor Wynne also came into the side.
Joe Cator and Jamie Shaul both dropped out though injury, while Kane Evans served the first of a two match suspension.
Hull remained without Carlos Tuimavave, Darnell McIntosh, Josh Reynolds, Cameron Scott, and Scott Taylor through injury, while Luke Gale served the fourth of a five match suspension.
The Match
The Black & Whites opened the scoring through Mitieli Vulikijapani before the quarter hour mark; a lovely grubber through from Jake Connor, his 11th assist of the season so far, was finished off by the Fijian in front of the South Stand end.
Hull through they had a second on the 25 minute mark. An Adam Swift break from backfield put Hull in good attacking position, but Josh Griffin was held up over the line by some resolute Huddersfield defence.
Half-Time: Hull FC 6-0 Huddersfield
The Giants thought they had their first score of the afternoon just after the restart, but Greenwood was brought back for a double-movement.
With chances coming few and far between as defences remained on top, Hull extended their lead to eight with a penalty goal through Ben McNamara.
Hull had their second try just before the hour mark; Tui Lolohea couldn’t deal with a Joe Lovodua grubber, and having fumbled the ball, Jake Connor prodded the ball into the in-goal. Andre Savelio had the pace to touch down before the dead-ball line.
The Giants were reduced to twelve when Will Pryce was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Connor Wynne.
Despite losing a man, the Giants got themselves on the scoresheet with ten minutes to play through in-form Chris McQueen who powered his way over from close range.
But it wasn’t enough for Huddersfield, with the Black & Whites showing more resolute defence in the closing stages to hold on for victory.
Full-Time: Hull FC 14-6 Huddersfield
Squads:
Hull FC: Jake Connor, Adam Swift, Mitieli Vulikijapani, Josh Griffin, Connor Wynne, Ben McNamara, Joe Lovodua, Ligi Sao, Danny Houghton, Chris Satae, Andre Savelio, Manu Ma’u, Jack Brown.
Interchange: Jordan Lane, Brad Fash, Jordan Johnstone, Josh Bowden,
Huddersfield: Tui Lolohea, Jermaine McGillvary, Leroy Cudjoe, Ricky Leutele, Innes Senior, Olly Russell, Will Pryce, Owen Trout, Danny Levi, Chris Hill, Chris McQueen, Ollie Roberts, LUke Yates.
Interchange: Ashton Goulding, Matty English, Joe Greenwood, Ollie Wilson.
Scorers:
Hull FC Tries: Vulikijapani (13), Savelio (58)
Hull FC Goals: McNamara (3/3)
Huddersfield Tries: McQueen (70)
Huddersfield Goals: Lolohea (1/1)
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