Hull FC squeak past Doncaster but thrash York City Knights
Sunday 11 January 2015 19:04, UK
Hull FC thrashed York City Knights 62-0 and edged past Doncaster 29-28 in a pre-season double-header at the Keepmoat Stadium.
Lee Radford fielded a mixed side of first-teamers and Academy players against Doncaster in the opening game and it was new signing Curtis Naughton, recruited from the Sydney Roosters, who gave them an early lead with a try set up by Abdull.
Naughton released Callum Smith to score a second try and youngster Jack Logan added a third soon after as the visitors strolled 16-0 in front inside 12 minutes.
Mike Kelly and Stewart Sanderson started the Doncaster fightback with tries before Naughton grabbed his second to put Hull 22-10 in front at half-time.
Naughton had a part in Hull's fifth try moments after the interval, this time finished off by Abdull, but Doncaster proved to be more than resilient opponents for Hull's first run out of the season.
Russ Spiers replied quickly with a converted score and Dave Scott's try brought Paul Cooke's men within a score.
They continued to pile on the pressure and Jack Walton made sure of a frenetic finale when he crossed, Lee Waterman converting to tie things up with nine minutes left on the clock.
Feka Paleaaesina thought he had won the game for Hull but he was held up over the line and they had to rely on Abdull's single pointer with four minutes remaining to claim victory.
A stronger team was on show later on against York and it showed as Hull put up a far more impressive display in a 10-try romp.
Setaimata Sa opened the scoring, Fetuli Talanoa followed him over and Kirk Yeaman was also able to cross as the Knights, who were forced to switch the game from Bootham Crescent, were completely outplayed from the opening whistle.
Jamie Shaul and Tom Lineham added scores before half-time and Sa completed a hat-trick with two more quick scores after the interval.
Talanoa and Shaul made it two scores apiece and the latter matched Sa's hat-trick in the dying minutes after claiming his own chip and diving over.
The only disappointment for Radford was a shoulder injury sustained by Jordan Rankin in the second game.
