Hull FC were knocked out of the Challenge Cup at the John Smith’s Stadium by 10 try Huddersfield Giants on a blustery afternoon in West Yorkshire.
Adam Swift helped himself to four scores, with Sam Halsall bagging a brace adding to efforts from Esan Marsters, Kevin Naiqama, Jack Murchie and Harvey Livett – Jordan Lane on the board for Hull.
Team News
Tony Smith made several changes from the matchday 17 that faced Leigh Leopards last time out.
Carlos Tuimavave dropped out with a hamstring injury, whilst Franklin Pele served his one match suspension.
Into the squad came youngsters Lewis Martin on the wing and Jack Charles at halfback.
Alongside that was a reshuffle in Hull’s side, with Jayden Okunbor and Danny Houghton dropping to the interchange bench, with Fa’amanu Brown starting at hooker and Cam Scott starting in the back row for just the fifth time in his career.
Ian Watson’s Giants were forced into three changes from their team from Round 5, with Chris Hill (ankle), Sam Hewitt (ankle) and Luke Yates (eye) forced changes.
Into the Giants team came Joe Greenwood and Harvey Livett for the first time this season, whilst Matty English regained his starting spot for the first time since Round 3.
The Match
Huddersfield Giants scored with just three minutes on the clock. Hull did well to pin the Giants in their own half for Jake Connor’s kick, which held up in the wind. Tui Lolohea took the ball and kicked to the corner for Sam Halsall to stride over untouched.
Hull’s first raid into Huddersfield territory brought a couple of bright moments, Nu Brown held up over the line and Darnell McIntosh well dealt with by Esan Marsters, but on the next set Harvey Livett made a long break and was brought down by Lewis Martin chasing back.
Huddersfield were the next to cross, again thanks to some fortune from a kick.
Adam Clune’s grubber hit Liam Sutcliffe and bounced into the arms of Esan Marsters who crossed under the posts, with Jake Connor’s conversion stretching Huddersfield’s lead to 10.
The Giants thought they’d scored from the next set, but when in the clear Kevin Naiqama’s pass to Tui Lolohea travelled well forward and the try was disallowed.
Hull responded well to that, with Morgan Smith’s inch perfect 40/20 giving Hull good field position, which they took full advantage of.
Nu Brown’s cut out pass to Jordan Lane on the last gave the loose forward enough space to jink through the Giants defence and reach out underneath the posts. Jack Charles’ conversion reduced the deficit to four.
Huddersfield looked all the world to have scored midway through the first half, but Herman Ese’ese came up with a monumental effort to force the ball dead in front of Adam Clune.
However, the effort came to nought, Jack Murchie taking advantage of a fumble from a kick by Liam Tindall to ground the ball.
Hull remained right in the battle until the half hour point, but Ligi Sao was sin binned for a late challenge on a Giants kicker, and Adam Swift’s try from the resulting penalty looked to put the game to bed as a contest, with the final score of the half.
Half Time: Huddersfield Giants 20 – 6 Hull FC
Hull made a bright start to the second half, Lewis Martin going 60 meters from a kick return, before Jack Brown was held up over the line.
Hull forced a drop out from that opportunity, but Brown came up with an error when returning the restart.
Another good opportunity for Hull came to nothing, Jayden Okunbor taking the ball well downfield from a loose Giants offload, but Ligi Sao’s pass to Herman Ese’ese on the line was forward.
Despite Hull’s promising start to the half, Huddersfield scored first.
Adam Swift made a 60 meter break after fielding an attacking kick, and was on the end of a Jake Connor pass to cross in the corner for the hosts.
Huddersfield were next to score, as Sam Halsall raced 90 meters for his second of the afternoon, taking Morgan Smith’s long pass to score under the posts.
Jake Connor nudged a monster 40/20 for the Giants, and they had the quality to make that count.
With space on the left, Connor took an offload from Esan Marsters and passed to Adam Swift, who dived over in the corner despite pressure from Hull’s inside defenders to bring up his hat-trick.
Giants ran away with it in the final 10 minutes, Harvey Livett taking a pass from Leroy Cudjoe to stroll in under the posts, before Kevin Naiqama added to Hull’s pain with another. Adam Swift brought up the 50 with Huddersfield’s 10th try of the afternoon.
Full Time: Huddersfield Giants 50 – 6 Hull FC
The Scorers:
Huddersfield Giants: Sam Halsall (3, 63), Esan Marsters (12), Jack Murchie (27), Adam Swift (33, 53, 68, 79), Harvey Livett (74), Kevin Naiqama (76) | Jake Connor (2/4), Tui Lolohea (3/6)
Hull FC: Jordan Lane (18) | Jack Charles (1/1)
The Lineups:
Huddersfield Giants: Jake Connor, Adam Swift, Esan Marsters, Kevin Naiqama, Sam Halsall, Tui Lolohea, Adam Clune, Oliver Wilson, Adam Milner, Matty English, Jack Murchie, Harvey Livett, Leroy Cudjoe | Ashton Golding, Harry Rushton, Joe Greenwood, Seb Ikahihifo
Hull FC: Tex Hoy, Lewis Martin, Darnell McIntosh, Liam Sutcliffe, Liam Tindall, Jack Charles, Morgan Smith, Herman Ese’ese, Fa’amanu Brown, Ligi Sao, Cam Scott, Nick Staveley, Jordan Lane, Danny Houghton, Jack Brown, Jayden Okunbor, Will Gardiner
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