Super League: Hull FC halt the Dragons's unbeaten run
Last Updated: 30/04/16 8:42am
Hull FC ended Catalans Dragons' seven-game winning streak with a 28-26 victory on Friday night.
The Black and Whites are firmly cemented in the top four after the win, and are one of three clubs, along with Catalans and Wigan, to sit two points behind Super League leaders Warrington.
Catalans refused to go away and fought to preserve their record in the absence of key men Todd Carney and Dave Taylor, but fell short in the end.
Hull were quick out of the blocks and ahead after less than five minutes, a brilliant right-to-left move finished by Fetuli Talanoa. Everything was going the home side's way and a second try soon followed, Liam Watts and Frank Pritchard making strides through the Catalans defence before Curtis Naughton crossed.
Louis Anderson responded for Catalans from close range, but Sika Manu restored Hull's two-try lead after taking in a pass from Danny Houghton.
Marc Sneyd added a penalty to get Hull out to 20-6 and they looked in complete command, only for Pat Richards to reel them in before the break.
His first try was a 26th-minute effort from a Tony Gigot ball and then he went in again off a pass from Richie Myler, though his failure to convert both from wide out left his side trailing by six at the interval.
Hull were fortunate to see Catalans waste an overlap as the second half warmed up, as Richards would have been in for a hat-trick had Vincent Duport's pass gone to hand.
The second half had been largely about Catalans but that changed with 25 minutes left as Remi Casty was sin-binned for one team offence too many and, before he had even got off the field, Scott Taylor went in to extend Hull's lead.
Catalans would not go away entirely, though, and with 14 minutes left Jason Baitieri's try and Richards' goal got them to within six points.
Hull were looking weary at that point but Casty, back on the field, released all the pressure with a late hit on Leon Pryce, while another penalty allowed Sneyd to edge Hull eight clear.
But that was quickly wiped down to two with eight minutes left as Eloi Pelissier caught the home defence napping and sped in from an offload, with Richards converting.
Catalans continued to fight, but were unable to complete the comeback as Hull held out for the win.
