Hull pick up their first win of the season in a close encounter with London, with a last minute Morgan Smith try snatching the victory from the Broncos.
Tries from Nick Staveley and Matty Russell saw the hosts lead at the break, before an impressive fight back from the newly promoted side.
Taking the lead with five minutes to play with a length of the field Robbie Storey side, it wasn’t enough for the visitors with Smith touching down in the 79th minute to seal the two points.
Team News
Tony Smith welcomed back several key players as he made six changes to last week’s team.
Danny Houghton returned after completing his head injury protocols, while Carlos Tuimavave makes his first appearance of the season following his calf injury. Ligi Sao returned after serving his suspension.
Matty Russell started on the wing, nearly 12 years after his first spell at the club. Fellow Warrington loanee Joe Bullock started from the bench.
Half-back Jack Charles made his senior debut from the bench.
Harvey Barron missed out with a hamstring injury picked up against Warrington last week.
The Match
Hull FC started the match strongly. Lewis Martin went close on the first set of the game but was denied by a covering tackle from Lee Kershaw. Two minutes later, and a penalty gifted Hull another chance at the London line, but nothing came of it.
Both sides completed their sets well over the next ten minutes, the highlight being Jack Ashworth sending Danny Houghton away for a half-break.
However, it was London who struck first. A 40/20 from Campagnolo put the Broncos into a dangerous position and James Meadows touched down. The conversion was missed.
The Black and Whites took the lead five minutes later. Nick Staveley found a gap and was too strong for Oli Leyland, bundling over for a try. McIntosh converted the try.
Morgan Smith looked to have scored after 22 minutes, but after a lengthy video referee check, it was ruled out for a knock on. Lee Kershaw then intercepted Jack Walkers basketball pass to Lewis Martin, ruling out a certain try.
More pressure was heaped on Mike Eccles’ side after half an hour, with Leyland having to concede a drop out in which a bit of hot-potato saw the ball shipped out wide to loanee Matty Russell who cut inside for FC’s second try of the afternoon. McIntosh once again converted.
Hull were reduced to 12 with Matty Russell being sin binned for a high tackle. The Broncos had a try ruled out from the resulting penalty for obstruction.
With three minutes to go in the half, Lewis Martin intercepted and raced 80 metres up field to extend the Black and Whites lead. McIntosh was unsuccessful with the conversion.
Half-Time: Hull FC 16-4 London Broncos
Tony Smith’s side thought they had scored on their first touch of the second-half, with Jack Walker breaking and sending Nu Brown in for a try, but play was pulled back for a forward pass. London then scored in the corner through Lee Kershaw on the next set. Leyland converted the try.
FC then had a chance to extend their lead. Morgan Smith’s kick behind the defensive line was just too long for anyone to get on the end of it.
Hakim Miloudi scored for London after 51 minutes, jumping highest to claim Campagnolo’s kick and touch down. Leyland missed the conversion.
Hull FC responded quickly, with Ligi Sao breaking from close range and passing back inside for Fa’amanu Brown to touch down. McIntosh added the two.
On the 60 minute mark, Eccles’ side hit back. Following three consecutive sets, Miloudi was quickest to react to a grubber and scored his second of the day. Leyland couldn’t add the extras.
Hull had another shot at the tryline following a knock on and penalty. A lovely flowing move saw Lewis Martin break down the left hand side, but the young winger couldn’t finish it off.
The next few sets followed a similar pattern, as both sides made errors near the opposition tryline.
London broke the pattern after 74 minutes, with Robbie Storey intercepting and running 90 metres to score. Leyland converted to give London the lead.
FC had a chance immediately after but an incorrect play the ball saw the chance go begging.
However, Hull stole the win in the last two minutes. Morgan Smith charged into a gap to score and McIntosh converted with the last act of the game to confirm the victory.
Full Time: Hull FC 28-24 London Broncos
Squads:
Hull FC: Jack Walker, Matty Russell, Darnell McIntosh, Carlos Tuimavave, Lewis Martin, Morgan Smith, Fa’amanu Brown, Jack Ashworth, Danny Houghton, Ligi Sao, Jayden Okunbor, Nick Staveley, Jordan Lane.
Interchanges: Jack Brown, Joe Bullock, Jack Charles, Charlie Severs
18th Man: Will Gardiner
London Broncos: Oli Leyland, Lee Kershaw, Robbie Storey, Jarred Bassett, Hakim Miloudi, Jack Campagnolo, James Meadows, Rob Butler, Sam Davis, Rhys Kennedy, Will Lovell, Jacob Jones, Dean Parata.
Interchanges: Fenton Rodgers, Marcus Stock, Jordan Williams, Iliess Macani.
18th Man: Matt Davies
Scorers:
Hull FC Tries: Staveley (17), Russell (29), Martin (37), F. Brown (55), Smith (78)
Hull FC Conversions: McIntosh (18, 30, 56, 79)
London Broncos Tries: Meadows (13), Kershaw (42), Miloudi (51, 60), Storey (74)
London Broncos Conversions: Leyland (43, 75)
Rowe Freight Man of the Match: Matty Russell
Attendance in association with Garbutts: 10,066
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