Hull made to work for victory by Catalans

It was of little surprise when Hull opened the scoring with 11 minutes on the clock.

Breaks from Jordan Tansey and then Richard Whiting allowed veteran schemer Sean Long to break clear and, although his run was relieved by Frederic Vaccari, a penalty soon came and the ball was switched to Jordan Turner who cruised in for his fourth try in as many games.

Casey McGuire snaked his way over from close range for the visitors after 19 minutes and Thomas Bosc's touchline goal allowed them to take the lead, although Whiting was quick to restore the home side's lead when crossed in the corner for a ninth try of the season.

Bosc's 45-metre penalty shortly before the interval sent the Catalans in level at the break.

After the break, the Dragons continued to fashion chances with greater ease than they had done before the break, and Shaun Berrigan's stunning tackle dragged Vaccari back into play as he looked set to convert Clint Greenshields' break.

Half breaks were now flowing for both sides as Briscoe broke through only to find himself void of support, before Hull's hopes were hit on the hour as Long was led off the field after a thunderous collision with Dane Carlaw.

Tickle's penalty from wide out on the left after Setaimata Sa's late shot on Briscoe with 15 minutes to go allowed Hull to regain some control, although they had some nervy moments to deal with before they could celebrate the win as the Catalans did everything bar cross the whitewash, with Berrigan again called into action to make a try-saving tackle on Vaccari.

Hull: Tansey, Whiting, Turner, Yeaman, T. Briscoe, Washbrook, Long, Dowes, Houghton, Cusack, Manu, Tickle, Radford. Substitutes: Moa, Lauaki, Berrigan, Hall.

Catalans Dragons: Greenshields, Carlaw, Raguin, Sa, Vaccari, Bosc, Sherwin, Ferriol, McGuire, Guisset, Elima, Mounis, Johnson. Substitutes: Gossard, Fakir, Casty, Simon.

Referee: T Alibert (Toulouse).

Hull last night revealed Craig Fitzgibbon, the revered Australian loose forward who has proved so integral during his debut campaign at the KC, has turned down a potential return to the NRL and signed a new deal with them for 2011.