Super League: Hull FC 20-14 Huddersfield Giants - home side claim first win in eight games
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Liam Sutcliffe has scored five tries for Hull FC this season
Betfred Super League |
|---|
Hull FC (8) 20 |
Tries: Sutcliffe 2, Satae Goals: Clifford 4 |
Huddersfield Giants (8) 14 |
Tries: McQueen, Marsters Goals: Connor 3 |
Liam Sutcliffe scored two tries to help Hull FC end their seven-game Super League losing run with victory against Huddersfield Giants.
Chris McQueen responded with a try for Huddersfield after Sutcliffe grabbed the game's first touchdown as the sides went into half-time level at 8-8.
Sutcliffe grabbed his second after Chris Satae put the hosts ahead for the second time early in the second half.
While Esan Marsters went over late for the Giants, it was not enough.
Two minutes after Jake Connor converted an early penalty to put Huddersfield in front, the hosts took the lead through Sutcliffe who finished a well-worked try.
McQueen linked up with Tui Lolohea to punch through a gap and slide over to help restore the visitor's lead after 24 minutes, only for a penalty to be awarded right in front of the posts to allow Jake Clifford to make it 8-8.
Satae showed great strength to power over for Black and Whites' second score, while a Sam Halsall knock-on as he crossed the line cost the Giants the chance to restore parity once more.
Huddersfield's inability to wrap Davey Litten up in a tackle allowed him to get an offload away for Sutcliffe to decisively add to their advantage.
Marsters got on the end of a grubber kick from Connor to set up a tense finish, and while Connor's conversion made it a six-point game the Giants could not avoid a fifth defeat of the season.
Hull FC head coach Tony Smith told BBC Radio Humberside:
"It's a shot in the arm for us. We have been working hard each week in training, but there was a bit of extra chemistry there today.
"That little ingredient of either desperation or belief, sometimes you get to a point where you have to go for it.
"I thought they were brave today, they took some chances - some of those came off and we made a few mistakes.
"We were prepared to defend it today - there was a real attitude in defence."
Huddersfield Giants boss Ian Watson told BBC Radio Leeds:
"I think Hull were the better team, they showed up with the right intent and the right attitude.
"They showed that straight away at the start of both halves and dominated proceedings through a defence-first mentality.
"Effort areas is a big one, it's something we saw Tony [Smith] had spoken about, and he challenged Hull to be better than us in those areas because it's an area we are normally good in. I'd say today they won those areas.
"They were more physical and they outworked us."
Hull FC: Litten, Swift, Sutcliffe, Tuimavave, Scott, Clifford, McNamara, Fash, Houghton, Sao, Griffin, Lane, Cator.
Interchanges: Dwyer, Gardiner, Satae, Taylor.
Huddersfield Giants: Pryce, McGillvary, Marsters, Naiqama, Halsall, Connor, Lolohea, Hill, Peats, English, McQueen, Livett, Yates.
Interchanges: O'Brien, Ikahihifo, Rushton, Wilson.
Referee: Liam Moore.