Hull 31-24 Wakefield: Gareth Ellis leads Hull to win
Last Updated: 06/07/15 1:08pm
Hull avenged a midweek defeat to Super League basement boys Wakefield by edging the impressive Wildcats 31-24 at the KC Stadium.
The result means the home side leapfrog neighbours Hull KR into the top eight of table, however, but for a magnificent display from skipper Gareth Ellis, they might have been handed a second defeat in five days by the Wildcats.
Instead, it was sweet revenge for Lee Radford’s side after going down to a 26-16 loss just days earlier in a result which ended Wakefield’s 16-match losing run.
Wildcats coach Brian Smith brought in nine fresh faces despite their win over the Black and Whites on Wednesday and now faces a selection dilemma ahead of next week’s clash with younger brother Tony's Warrington side after most of them caught the eye.
Full-back Max Jowitt, just 18 years old, impressed on his second senior appearance while second rower Matty Ashurst, who had been out for three months with a torn groin, made his mark after two minutes, dummying his way over for his third try in as many games.
Jacob Miller, one of five former Hull players in the visitors' starting line-up, then kicked the first of his four goals. His half-back partner Jordan Tansey added a second try after twice hacking the ball ahead in an 80-metre sprint to the line to take advantage of a poor pass from Marc Sneyd.
Hull could not match the enthusiasm of their revitalised opponents but, with half-backs Sneyd and Leon Pryce back in harness, they always looked dangerous with the ball.
Loose forward Joe Westerman scored the home side's first try after seven minutes and the evergreen Ellis produced a superb offload for winger Steve Michaels to get his centre Jack Logan over for a second.
Miller extended his side's lead with a penalty but when Michaels came up with a flying finish at the corner after 32 minutes, Hull were level at 14-14 and second rower Setaimata Sa was held up over the line before Sneyd edged his team in front for the first time with a penalty on the stroke of half-time.
Hull looked likely to run away with the game when Logan grabbed his second try four minutes into the second half, touching down a loose ball after Wakefield winger Tom Johnstone failed to clear the danger caused by another accurate Sneyd kick, and the scrum-half kicked his third goal to make it 22-14.
A remarkable run from prop Mickey Paea then carved out a try for full-back Jordan Rankin but each time Wakefield responded with sublime tries of their own.
Former Hull centre Reece Lyne raced onto a clever grubber kick from substitute Ali Lauitiiti who also set up the position for Johnstone to go over on an overlap.
Miller had the chance to tie the scores but he was off target with the boot for the first time.
The decisive moment came on the hour when Johnstone raced upfield after collecting a towering kick near his own line and only a last-ditch tackle from Rankin denied him a fantastic try.
Three minutes later Ellis opened up the Wakefield defence with another magnificent offload and Logan sent Michaels over for his second try.
Sneyd was off target for a fourth time in seven attempts at goal but he hit the spot with a drop goal to wrap up the scoring.