The Black & Whites made an important return to winning ways on Sunday afternoon, defeating Huddersfield 20-14 at the MKM Stadium.
Tony Smith’s men put on a much-improved defensive display to claim their first victory since Round Two.
A try from Chris Satae and a brace from Liam Sutcliffe were enough to get the Black & Whites over the line to claim a crucial two points.
Team News
Tony Smith made three changes to the side that lined-up against Leeds Rhinos last weekend, with Cam Scott, Jake Clifford and Scott Taylor all returning to the side.
The trio replaced Darnell McIntosh and Jack Brown, as well as Joe Lovodua who is today’s 18th man.
Tex Hoy, Jake Trueman, Mitieli Vulikijapani and Jamie Shaul remained unavailable through injury.
The Match
The Giants earned the first points of the game after five minutes when Jake Connor knocked over a penalty goal in front of the sticks.
Hull hit back with the opening score before the ten minute mark. Josh Griffin broke the Giants defensive line on halfway, supported by Jake Clifford for the offload. Liam Sutcliffe was in support for the half-back, and the pass went inside for the centre to finish the move.
Huddersfield hit back when Chris McQueen slid through a gap in the Hull line for the visitors opening score. The converted kick put them ahead by two.
FC were back level ten minutes before the break when Clifford sent over a penalty goal.
Half-Time: Hull FC 8-8 Huddersfield Giants
Hull began the second-half in style with Chris Satae charging charging onto a Danny Houghton to touch down with unstoppable force. Clifford converted for a third time.
The Giants blew a golden opportunity with 25 minutes to play in he game, when Sam Halsall had acres of space to finish a move in the corner, but knocked on when grounding the ball.
FC took control of the game with Sutcliffe’s second score of the contest – Litten, having a superb attacking match, couldn’t be controlled by the Giants defence close to the line, and his offload found the center who charged over. A fourth conversion from Clifford followed.
The Giants blew a golden opportunity with 20 minutes to play when Sam Halsall, in acres of space to finish a move in the corner, dropped the ball when attempting to ground the ball.
Despite FC’s dominance in the second-half, the Giants managed to get a score back through Esan Marsters with five minutes to play, getting on the end of a pin-point accurate grubber. Connor converted and the gap was six points.
The try set up a nervy finish, but the Black & Whites held on for a crucial victory.
Full-Time: Hull FC 20-14 Huddersfield Giants
Squads:
Hull FC: Davy Litten, Adam Swift, Liam Sutcliffe, Carlos Tuimavave, Cam Scott, Jake Clifford, Ben McNamara, Brad Fash, Danny Houghton, Ligi Sao, Josh Griffin, Jordan Lane, Joe Cator.
Interchange: Chris Satae, Will Gardiner, Scott Taylor, Brad Dwyer
18th Man: Joe Lovodua
Huddersfield: Will Pryce, Jermaine McGillvary, Esan Marster, Kevin Naiqama, Sam Halsall, Jake Connor, Tui Lolohea, Chris Hill, Nathan Peats, Matty English, Chris McQueen, Harvey Livett, Luke Yates.
Interchange: Harry Rushton, Seb Ikahihifo, Adam O’Brien, Oliver Wilson.
18th Man: Leroy Cudjoe
Scorers:
Hull FC Tries: Liam Sutcliffe (7, 55), Chris Satae (43)
Hull FC Goals: Jake Clifford (4/4)
Huddersfield Tries: Chris McQueen (21), Esan Marsters (75)
Huddersfield Goals: Connor (3/3)
Peregrine Property Man of the Match: Davy Litten
Attendance, In Association with Garbutts: 10,859
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