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Hull FC 22 London Broncos 14: Moa sees red but Hull FC hold off spirited Broncos rally
Hull celebrated their first Stobart Super League win under new coach Peter Gentle with a comfortable victory against London Broncos at the KC Stadium.
The win, which leaves the Broncos still pointless, had not looked in doubt until London took advantage of Sam Moa’s sending-off for Hull.
Utilising the extra man, London staged a late fightback in a scrappy game, but it was ultimately too little too late as the hosts held on to remain undefeated following their opening round draw against Warrington.
Despite the efforts of mercurial Australian half-back Craig Gower, the Broncos found holes in the Hull defence at a premium and unfortunately for Rob Powell’s men the same could not be said of them when England international wing Tom Briscoe sidestepped his way across the try-line to open the scoring in the 16th minute.
Defensively superior, the home crowd were anticipating Briscoe’s try to be the opening of the floodgates against a side who shipped 50 points against Warrington – but it was on a rare visit to the Hull try-line that London were soon back in the game.
It took a benefit of the doubt decision by video referee Phil Bentham, but Australian winger Michael Robertson’s score stood despite the efforts of Briscoe to drag him into touch.
London’s possession near the Hull try-line had been a rarity and despite drawing level it stayed that way until late in the game as the hosts re-asserted control with two quickfire tries.
First loose-forward Joe Westerman popped up to take Australian half-back Brett Seymour’s offload and barge over, before full-back Wade McKinnon got on the end of a superbly-weighted kick by Richard Horne behind the London defence.
Westerman’s impact was short-lived having to leave the field soon after scoring with a shoulder injury which was deemed severe enough for him to leave the ground immediately and be taken to hospital.
Hull were undeterred and marched on, Kirk Yeaman getting his second try of the season after good work by Willie Manu.
Controversy then followed when Hull prop Sam Moa was shown the red card for a huge hit on Julien Rinaldi which laid the Frenchman out cold.
Moa’s aggressive challenge had looked a fair one, but referee Richard Silverwood thought otherwise and London had the incentive they needed to stage a late fightback.
Making the most of the extra man, Luke Dorn and then Chris Melling scored to give the Broncos some hope. But with an eight-point margin in their favour Hull were able to withstand the pressure and hold on for their first win of the season.
Hull FC: McKinnon, Sharp, Martin, Yeaman, T. Briscoe, Horne, Seymour, Moa, Houghton, Lynch, Manu, Tickle, Aspinwall. Substitutes: O’Meley, Nicklas, Whiting, Westerman.
London Broncos: Dorn, Robertson, Howell, O’Callaghan, Dixon, Witt, Gower, Kaufusi, Randall, Bryant, Bailey, Rodney, Clubb. Substitutes: Melling, Golden, Rinaldi, Cook.
Referee: R Silverwood (Dewsbury).
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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