HULL FC fell to yet another Super League defeat as Huddersfield Giants ran out 24-18 victors.
Huddersfield struck first in the ninth minute, Jake Bibby crossing after great work by Kevin Naiqama on his inside. Olly Russell converted expertly from out wide for a 6-0 lead.
Adam Clune was denied a try by a desperate Logan Moy effort as the former chased a Tui Lolohea kick but the Hull line was breached once more as the half-hour approached through a strong Sebastine Ikahihifo charge. Russell again converted to make it 12-0.
A powerful Herman Ese’ese run, however, saw Hull get their first points of the night moments later with Ben Reynolds converting to reduce the deficit to six at 12-6.
On the hooter, after Hull were brought back for foul play, Russell extended Huddersfield’s lead to 14-6 with a penalty.
HALF-TIME: HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS 14-6 HULL FC
Reynolds almost dotted down straight after half-time when he backed up a Hull break, but the halfback knocked on over the line under pressure from Luke Yates.
Moy then had a four-pointer ruled out for obstruction as Cam Scott ran into a Giants defender, so it was heartbreaking when Huddersfield struck on 55 minutes through Bibby in the corner. Russell couldn’t convert but the hosts led 18-6.
Sam Halsall was the next on the scoresheet just after the hour as Hull simply crumbled with Russell missing the conversion.
Russell slotted over a penalty with ten minutes to go to make the result certain at 24-6, though Logan Moy did dot down from the resulting short kick-off. Reynolds converted to reduce the deficit to 24-12.
The Black and Whites threatened an incredible comeback as Cam Scott raced away from a great Moy pass after Yates had fumbled a kick. Reynolds’ superb conversion made it 24-18.
However, Ian Watson’s men held on for a priceless two points.
Huddersfield Giants
6 Tui Lolohea – 8
5 Jake Bibby – 7
3 Esan Marsters – 7
4 Kevin Naiqama – 8
24 Sam Halsall – 7
23 Olly Russell – 7
7 Adam Clune – 7
8 Chris Hill – 7
19 Tom Deakin – 7
13 Luke Yates – 8
16 Harry Rushton – 6
12 Sam Hewitt – 6
21 Leroy Cudjoe – 6
Substitutes
1 Jake Connor
14 Ash Golding – 6
17 Olly Wilson – 6
18 Sebastine Ikahihifo – 8
Tries: Bibby (9, 55), Ikahihifo (26), Halsall (62)
Goals: Russell 4/6
Hull FC
37 Logan Moy – 8
44 Tom Briscoe – 7
17 Cam Scott – 6
4 Liam Sutcliffe – 5
25 Harvey Barron – 5
6 Jake Trueman – 6
47 Ben Reynolds – 8
8 Herman Ese’ese – 8
9 Danny Houghton – 6
45 Yusuf Aydin – 6
15 Jordan Lane – 6
46 Tiaki Chan – 7
12 Ligi Sao – 7
Substitutes
13 Brad Fash – 5
16 Jack Ashworth – 5
19 Morgan Smith – 5
23 Davy Litten – 6
Tries: Ese’ese (33), Moy (72), Scott (77)
Goals: Reynolds 3/3
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