Hull extinguish Dragons' fire

A dominant display at the KC Stadium on Friday saw Hull FC maintain their perfect start to the Super League season with a 28-12 victory over Catalans Dragons.

After a hesitant start the hosts took control and gradually turned the screws on the Dragons, running in four tries courtesy of Shaun Berrigan, Craig Hall, Tom Briscoe and Richard Horne.

Six goals from Danny Tickle added the visitors' woes as they struggled to create attacking momentum through out the game.

Tickle opened the scoring with a penalty in a defence dominated opening quarter and Kirk Yeaman went close with what would have been a scintillating try after breaking from deep, but was caught short by a desperate ankle-tap from Cyril Stacul.

Hull maintained their momentum and gradually began to take control of the game.

Robbed

And on the 25 minute mark they were rewarded with the opening try after a Horne break saw Berrigan cross when his kick ricocheted off a post and rebounded kindly for the hooker.

Moments later Hall almost added a second but a superb tackle on the line by opposite number Clint Greenshields denied the full-back.

Hall, standing in for the absent Todd Byrne, could not be kept out for long though and two minutes before the interval he ran onto a Chris Thorman kick to give the hosts a 14-0 half-time lead.

Catalans came out with renewed vigour for the second half and Greenshields would have scored following a fine burst were it not for Tom Briscoe, who somehow robbed possession as he dived in.

Hull players ran from across the field to congratulate Briscoe but moments later they were caught as Olivier Elima crashed over from close range.

Thomas Bosc converted to give full points from their first sustained attack of the game but Hull fought back and the Dragons soon found themselves on the back foot again.

Danger

This time however, they declined two kickable penalties, giving Catalans the chance to regroup with the score still at 14-6.

But Hull were never in danger and when Calderwood, looking certain to score, cut inside, the ball was quickly moved out to the opposite wing and Briscoe went over.

Tickle converted from the touchline as the game moved past the 60 minute mark and fifteen minutes later Horne notched up his 100th try for the club, when he pounced on Danny Houghton's short kick to claim Hull's fourth score.

Tickle made it six from six and a last-gasp effort from Adam Mogg did little to detract from job well done by Richard Agar's men.