By IAN JUDSON
HULL FC claimed a first win in five games as they finished Hull & Proud Week with a thumping home win against Betfred Super League basement dwellers Huddersfield Giants.
The Airlie Birds came from behind to take a six-point advantage into the half time break before cutting loose in the second 40 minutes.
The annual club Big Day Out attracted a crowd of 12,057 who saw Hull score four second half tries in thrilling fashion as they cast aside their previous attacking deficiencies.
Team news:
Andy Last was forced into making changes again as Zak Hardaker missed out due to concussion protocols, with loanee Ethan O’Neill replacing him at centre.
Will Kirby was promoted from the bench to start at loose-forward with Cade Cust out injured having started there against Warrington.
Jed Cartwright returned in the back row after a long-term injury and Max Wood was on the bench for his debut, having arrived on loan from Warrington during the week.
The match:
The early exchanges were very nervous from both sides, probably underlining the lack of confidence between both teams.
A mistake by Aidan Sezer put Huddersfield in Hull’s half and Oliver Russell controversially gave the visitors the lead despite appearing to hit the dead ball line, George Flanagan added the goal.
Hull were then contentiouly denied a try for Joe Batchelor after they were penalised for interference at the play the ball.
Hull then struck from long distance as Amir Bourouh broke through some feeble defending and was supported by Logan Moy for the player of the month to score, Sezer’s boot brought the scores level.
The game developed into more of an arm wrestle as it entered its second quarter, with the Giants being very physically challenging.
Hull then took the lead as Jake Arthur got on the end of a delightful move involving Jed Cartwright to put the Black & Whites in front, Sezer added the goal.
Hull were put on the attack with a penalty and found their way over the Giants line again, but the try was disallowed for a knock-on in the build up.
Huddersfield had the first chance of the second half, but Connor Wrench was unlucky to be just kept out in the corner.
A penalty put the visitors in Hull’s half again and Tom Burgess had to be held up over the line, before they wasted the remaining chance.
Hull were then put in the Giants half by a penalty, followed by a set restart and a Jake Arthur kick was gobbled up by Ethan O’Neill to score, Sezer’s boot made it a 12-point lead.
Hull extended their lead on their next attack as Amir Bourouh forced his way over from close range, Sezer added the goal again.
Hull were handed more territory and possession from a Huddersfield knock-on, followed by two set-restarts and eventually Sezer added a fifth goal from a penalty for a four-score lead.
Immediately afterwards a break by Ethan O’Neill, was supported by Moy and the fullback put Harvey Barron over.
Hull carried on causing the pain for the visitors as O’Neill then cut through more feeble defending to score under the posts, goaled by Sezer.
Huddersfield grabbed a consolation try as Connor Wrench cut through a retreating defence to score a try that was goaled by Flanagan.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
