You are in > manchester.com  > News > Hull edge out spirited Huddersfield

Rugby League

Hull edge out spirited Huddersfield

22/09/2007

Hull scraped past a battling Huddersfield Giants side to claim a 22-16 victory at the KC Stadium this evening in the Super League elimination play-off and set up a semi-final clash with the Wigan Warriors.

Last season's beaten grand finalists Hull looked to be cruising to victory as they led 22-6 with only 11 minutes of the game left.

But the Giants came back fighting and scored two tries and a conversion to bring themselves back in the game. They were unable to find another try to take the game into extra-time, however.

Great Britain international Gareth Raynor gave Hull the lead after eight minutes as he was the quickest to latch onto the end of a Matthew Head kick. Thomas Lee capitalised on a Huddersfield error four minutes later to go over the try-line and Danny Tickle converted to give Hull a 10-0 half-time lead.

Huddersfield, who were making their play-offs debut, started the second half well and worked through the length of the pitch to score a brilliant try through Ryan Hudson. Chris Thorman converted to cut the deficit to just four points.

But Huddersfield shot themselves in the foot on the hour mark when a loose Kevin Brown pass was intercepted by Hull's Richard Horne who ran almost 60 metres to score the try. And when Raynor scored his second try to give Hull a 16-point lead it seemed the game was over.

Huddersfield, however, kept their spirits up and there was almost another comeback to match Wigan's amazing win over Bradford last night.

Paul Reilly and Brown both managed to grab hold of Brad Drew kicks to score tries and when Thorman converted the Brown try, Huddersfield had four minutes left to force extra-time. But Hull managed to hold on and stay on course for another grand final appearance at Old Trafford.