No place like home for Hull

Hull made sure of home advantage in the first round of the play-offs with a 20-10 victory over Bradford at the KC Stadium.

Danny Tickle scored one of three home tries and also kicked four goals as the Black and Whites recorded their first win over the Bulls this season.

There was a crumb of comfort for the beaten visitors as Shontayne Hape made his return from a lengthy injury lay-off.

The New Zealand international, back in action after six months out with a knee injury, helped Bradford boss the opening half.

Honours even

However, Steve McNamara's side somehow went in at the break level at 4-4, managing only one try through Tame Tupou.

The winger's 18th minute score was cancelled out by two Tickle penalties as Hull held firm under pressure.

It appeared they would be in danger of falling behind again at the start of the second half when Richard Whiting was sin-binned for holding down in the tackle.

Yet it was the Airlie Birds who scored the first try after the interval, Graeme Horne stripping the ball from James Evans before running in from 60 metres out.

Late flourish

Bradford battled back to cross through David Solomona, but it was Hull who dominated after that - scoring 12 unanswered points in the final 18 minutes.

Tickle accepted Tommy Lee's neat pass to go over before Whiting hacked on a loose ball to grab the try that clinched the two points.

The only disappointment for the hosts was an injury to influential scrum-half Matthew Head, who went off in the first half and did not return.

It is hoped the Australian will be fit for next week when Hull will face either Huddersfield or Wigan on the road to a second successive Grand Final appearance at Old Trafford.

Hull (4) 20.
Tries: G. Horne, Tickle, Whiting.
Goals: Tickle 4.
Bradford (4) 10.
Tries: Tupou, Solomona. Goals: I. Harris.
Att: 14,402