Hull 14-10 Huddersfield: Hull edge drab game at KCOM Stadium

Match stats: Hull 14-10 Huddersfield

Hull tries: Minichiello (14), Bowden (22)
Goals: Sneyd (14, 22, 75) 

Huddersfield tries: McIntosh (32), McGillvary (36)
Goals: McIntosh (32), McGillvary (36) 

Match report

Hull FC ended their regular season campaign with a less than convincing 14-10 win over the Huddersfield Giants at the KCOM Stadium.

It was not the prettiest of wins, but the two points keeps Lee Radford's side in the hunt for a play-off place at the end of the seven-game Super 8s competition.

Mark Minichiello opened the scoring in the 14th minute using every inch of his frame to stretch the ball over the Giants line following a sustained period of pressure.

Marc Sneyd, who scored 28 points in the reverse fixture at Huddersfield, added the extras for a 6-0 lead.

Gareth Ellis marked his return from injury to set up Hull's second score, sidestepping through the Giants defence to send Josh Bowden over for a try with his first touch of the game. Sneyd converted to extend the home side's advantage to 12-0.

Ellis played a big part in Hull opening up a 12-0 lead and he played a big part in Huddersfield getting themselves back in the game on the half hour mark.

Ellis took a breather to be replaced by Danny Washbrook and Huddersfield took advantage by scoring through Darnell McIntosh. Danny Brough landed the touchline conversion to make it 12-6.

Jermaine McGillvary's try shortly afterwards got the small band of travelling supporters cheering further. But Brough was unable to restore parity by missing the conversion and Hull deserved their interval advantage.

Neither team posted any points in the first 35 minutes of the second half as they both tried to force the issue.

A string of knock-ons and forward passes littered the game, ruining it as a spectacle and referee Chris Kendall came in for some criticism from the home fans for the way he was handling the game.

While there were only two points between the two sides Huddersfield, who started the day four points behind their opponents, knew only one score could win the game.

With Brough pulling the strings, the visitors were unable to unlock a well organised Hull defence and chances became few and far between as the clock edged closer towards 80 minutes.

With just five minutes remaining, the first points of the half arrived arrived when Sneyd landed his third goal of the evening to extend Hull's lead to 14-10.

Huddersfield gave themselves a chance by regaining possession from the restart, but they could do nothing in the set.

Hull managed to run the clock down and bring a dull game to an end.

Match reaction

Hull coach Lee Radford was only concerened about the result: "It wasn't pretty but it was really intense. We've achieved our goal of making the top four after 23 rounds. How we started the game was what we want to take into next week. We had to play for 80 minutes and ultimately we strangled them in terms of possession. Our front-line defence was much better and that's what we asked for."

On the return of skipper Gareth Ellis: "I'm really glad to have Gareth back especially ahead of next week's game. He put Josh's try on a plate for him. When you see and hear some of his hits from the stands, it's great to watch."

Huddersfield coach Rick Stone could not fault his players: "The effort was okay and we had courage. But we made too many errors and completed at 63 per cent overall. We looked tired and it showed in our execution. As poor as we were in execution, we have to give credit to Hull. They are a proud team and we're back at home after a month of playing away from home. If we want to beat a team of this quality, we have to execute better.

"Our kicking was poor and they were more selective throughout the whole game. We got our fair share in the second half, but it became a real arm wrestle. We had a few chances and they had a few chances but defences were on top in the second half with no tries scored."