Hull fend off Bulls charge

Fitzgibbon: Late try ensured victory

Hull fended off a Bradford fightback to claim a hard-fought 28-14 victory over Bradford at Odsal and give their hopes of play-off qualification a boost.

The Black and Whites surged into a 16-0 lead after just 24 minutes after Richard Horne, Sam Moa and Joe Westerman all crossed the try-line.

The Bulls hit back with a quick-fire double from Shad Royston just before half-time, but second-half scores from Kirk Yeaman and Craig Fitzgibbon killed the game off.

Hull currently occupy the all-important eighth position in the table and are now three points clear of Mick Potter's side.

Following their impressive draw against St Helens last Sunday, the hosts had made a bright start, pinning Hull back towards their own line but coming away with nothing when Patrick Ah Van knocked on from Brett Kearney's offload.

Two minutes later the Bulls were threatening again with Royston looking to ground Marc Herbert's kick into the corner, but Reece Lyne stepped in to clear the danger.

And it was Hull who put the first points on the board in the 15th minute when Yeaman broke down the left before sending Horne clear to touch down.

Lead

Danny Tickle added the extras and the lead was extended again shortly afterwards, as the away side kept the ball alive following a Kearney intervention and Moa powered over the line from close-range, with Tickle again converting.

Bulls coach Mick Potter was able to bring on fit-again prop Nick Scruton but his introduction did not help Bradford's cause, as Westerman scored from dummy half in the right corner.

Tickle was this time off target with a difficult conversion attempt, but Hull kept up the pressure and had chances to stretch their lead further before the interval.

But two minutes prior to half-time, Michael Platt drew defenders with a fine burst and was able to play in the supporting Royston for the try.

Ah Van could not convert but Bradford were in again when Royston collected a lofted kick to touch down on the stroke of half-time, with a second Ah Van miss meaning it was 16-8 to Hull at the break.

The visitors struck again six minutes after the restart, though, when a low kick from Willie Manu was grounded in the corner by Yeaman and Tickle slotted over the extras.

Bradford produced another reply in the 53rd minute as Andy Lynch crossed from close in and Ah Van this time kicked the conversion.

Both sides had chances during the remainder of the contest but it was Hull that put the game out of sight when Fitzgibbon grounded Sam Obst's kick and Tickle landed his fourth goal late on.