Super 8s: Hull FC 20-26 Catalans Dragons
- Published

Wembley man of the match Tony Gigot scored the second of Catalans' five tries
Super 8s |
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Hull FC (4) 20 |
Tries: Griffin, Fash, Talanoa, Shaul Goals: Connor 2 |
Catalans (10) 26 |
Tries: Moa, Gigot, Thornley, Wiliame, Edwards Goals: Drinkwater 2, Albert |
Challenge Cup winners Catalans Dragons had their first victory since Wembley as they scored five tries to beat hosts Hull at the KCOM Stadium to climb above them in the Super 8s table.
Kenny Edwards' 77th-minute try, converted by Lucas Albert, capped earlier tries from Sam Moa, Tony Gigot, Iain Thornley and Brayden Wiliame.
That ended a run of six successive league defeats dating back to 21 July.
Lee Radford's injury-hit Hull side have now lost 10 consecutive games.
They recovered from 12-4 down, then 16-10 down, to lead 20-16 with nine minutes to go, when full-back Shaul went over.
But that lead lasted only two minutes before Edwards helped his side level, setting up the Dragons' fourth try for Wiliame, before himself grabbing the crucial match-winning converted score.
The Black and Whites scored four tries, from Josh Griffin, Brad Fash, Fetuli Talanoa and Jamie Shaul, of which England international Jake Connor converted two.
Josh Drinkwater also kicked two goals for the Dragons, who host Huddersfield next Saturday (17:30 BST).
Hull round off their season at Wigan next Friday (19:45 BST).
Hull boss Lee Radford:
"It was a copycat of last week. You can't be disappointed with that result ultimately when we are defending like we are.
"You watch the tries we conceded: the system stuff you have to stand by them, the one-on-one tackles you have to make.
"We were mad with the football but we had two mavericks at half-back. There was no organisation and temperament in terms of patience but that's what you have with those two blokes (Jake Connor/Hakim Miloudi) at six and seven.
"I had two minutes of ecstasy which I haven't had in the last six or seven weeks. It was a good two minutes."
Catalans coach Steve McNamara:
"Kenny Edwards got an elbow in the eye and did well to come back. One eye was shut so he did a really good job coming up with those two nice pieces of play.
"We have had a pretty torrid week with lots of players injured who couldn't make the trip. There were players, who came on the trip, we weren't sure if they were going to play. And then we had players injured during the game.
"We were in front for most of the time and looked as though it was going to get taken away from us. So, to come back with a couple of nice pieces of play in the last six or seven minutes, we are delighted.
"Since Wembley it has been a tough period for us but we have stayed in there fighting and we finally got some reward. I can't speak highly enough of the group. They have been incredible. This is our seventh trip to England in nine weeks."
Hull FC: Shaul; Faraimo, Griffin, Tuimavave, Talanoa; Miloudi, Connor; Taylor, Houghton, Matongo, Lane, Washbrook, Hadley.
Interchanges: Fash, Litten, Paea, Bienek.
Catalans Dragons: Gigot; Tierney, Mead, Wiliame, Thornley; Albert, Drinkwater; Maria, McIlorum, Moa, Bird, Jullien, Baitieri.
Interchanges: Da Costa, Belmas, Goudemand, Edwards.
Referee: Marcus Griffiths.
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