Super League: Hull FC 28-24 London - Hosts end losing start to beat winless Broncos

Hull FC triumphed in the battle of two previously winless teams as they narrowly beat promoted London Broncos.

The Black and Whites left it late to shade victory in a game of five tries for each team, settled by the kickers.

Darnell McIntosh converted four of the home tries scored by Nick Staveley, Matty Russell, Lewis Martin, Fa'amanu Brown and Morgan Smith.

But Oli Leyland only kicked two of the five tries by Hakim Miloudi (2), James Meadows, Lee Kershaw and Robbie Storey.

London led after 14 minutes when Meadows latched on to Jarred Bassett's clever kick through, only for Leyland to fail from the tee.

Young home forward Staveley took four minutes to level when he dodged and weaved over, to which McIntosh added the extras, before Hull had a try chalked off.

Hakim Miloudi scored two of London Broncos' five tries

But on the half hour Russell darted inside to score, bringing a dynamic end to a determined team move involving almost every Hull player - and McIntosh made it 12-4 before a real turning point.

Russell, deceived by the bounce, was deemed to have taken a high shot on Leyland and perhaps harshly yellow-carded, leaving Broncos with a man advantage close to the posts.

But Jordan Williams' try was chalked off for obstruction and, three minutes later, from a loose pass by Leyland to the right wing, Martin intercepted and went 80 yards for the try of the afternoon - and a 16-4 interval lead, after McIntosh missed the kick wide out on the left.

Broncos still had a man advantage at the start of the second half and cut the hosts' lead when Kershaw crossed, with Leyland proving more accurate from the right as he bounced his kick over off the bar.

They were back within two at 16-14 when Miloudi climbed to touch down from a high bomb.

After Leyland again missed from the tee, Hull scrum-half Brown's converted try gave the hosts breathing space, only for Miloudi to catch another kick and score to make it 22-18.

Leyland missed again but, when a misplaced offload by Ligi Sao fell to Storey, the London centre was away down the right to score in the corner.

Again Leyland proved more accurate from the right touchline to give London back the lead at 24-22 - but Hull had a sting in the tail and Smith went over with three minutes left, allowing McIntosh to land his fourth kick.

Hull FC head coach Tony Smith told BBC Radio Humberside:

"It was a bit of heartstopper. We didn't control it as we would have liked - and we lacked patience and discipline too, but we're still getting to know each other.

"London have asked questions of their opponents in all their three games so far, and there were certainly some aspects of our game we were pleased with.

"It was such a slow game though, with all the stoppages we have now to check stuff. The game loses its momentum. We've got to get back to putting things on report.

"Either that or the guy in the stand just refs everything. We're going to end up being here until midnight. Some of those video ref calls took ages."

London Broncos director of rugby and performance Mike Eccles:

"It's a goal of mine this year to develop the team and develop the club. We added great value. There was loads of character, that's what we're all about.

"I didn't think it was a 16-4 game at half-time. But I'm really happy with the way we fought.

"Some of the heart we showed was really pleasing. Lots of good building blocks.

"There were four massive things for us. There was an incorrect play-the-ball, and there was an offside in the corner when we had Hull pinned down."

Hull FC: Walker; Russell, McIntosh, Tuimavave, Martin; Smith, F Brown; Ashworth, Houghton, Sao, Okunbor, Staveley, Lane.

Interchanges: J Brown, Charles, Severs, Bullock.

Sin-bin: Russell (35)

London Broncos: Leyland; Kershaw, Storey, Bassett, Miloudi; Campagnolo, Meadows; Butler, Davis, Kennedy, Lovell, Jones, Parata.

Interchanges: Stock, Williams, Macani, Rogers.

Referee: James Vella