Huddersfield beat 12-man Hull for first win

Betfred Super League

Huddersfield (8) 12

Goals: Flanagan 2

Hull FC (6) 10

In a tense Magic Weekend fight between Hull and the Huddersfield Giants, the Giants won their first Super League game.

Herman Ese’ese crossed for the Giants to reduce the deficit to 8-6 at half-time following George Flanagan’s penalty and Leroy Cudjoe’s score.

On the stroke of half-time, Jacob Gagai’s try extended the lead to Liam Knight, who was sent off for a shoulder charge on Sam Hewitt.

Lewis Martin’s brilliant flying finish helped the Black and Whites reclaim two points after superb defense, but the Giants held on.

After almost two months without a back, the Giants returned Adam Clune, who immediately had an immediate impact, scoring two try assists as Huddersfield won their 12th Magic Weekend.

Flanagan gave the Giants a string of first-half penalties before conceding to an edgy-looking Hull, who was able to put the Giants ahead.

After Zac Woolford and Joe Greenwood spurned more gifts, Cudjoe’s step-and-go beat Will Pryce in a one-on-one to cross under the posts.

When the Giants started to take control, John Cartwright’s side responded immediately and with little counterattacking threat.

Ese’ese’s fifth Super League try came from John Asiata’s powerful surge to the line and his incredible back-handed pass, and Cade Cust was denied another try thanks to Flanagan’s brave tackle, which kept the slender lead.

However, two madness moments dictated the outcome of the game, which saw a full-blooded first half collapse at half-time.

Sam Eseh, a Hull prop, quickly slammed Thomas Burgess in the bin after making a big tackle on Matty English, which sparked a brawl. And with the following play, they were all down to 11 when Knight was sent off for hitting Hewitt in the shoulder.

After the break, the Black and Whites effectively managed their numerical disadvantage, but Gagai was quickly punished for a loose Ese-ese pass when Clune’s brilliant cut-out pass knocked out four Hull defenders.

Davy Litten’s incredible offload off the floor and Martin’s superb one-handed flying corner turn, which came in at 12-10, were just two minutes apart.

Golding, English, Burgess, and Jack Bibby swap.

Sin-bin: Burgess (37)

Pryce, Barron, Rapana, Litten, Martin, Cust, Sezer, Ese ‘ese, Bourouh, Knight, Hardaker, Chamberlain, Asiata, all play for Hull FC.

Briscoe, Aydin, Ashworth, and Eseh swap.

Sin-bin: Eseh (39)

Red card: Knight (40)