| Betfred Super League |
|---|
| Hull FC (16) 29 |
| Tries: Fonua 2, Tuimavave, Shaul, Ma’u Goals: Sneyd 4 Drop goal: Sneyd |
| Catalans (10) 34 |
| Tries: Jullien 2, Yaha, Drinkwater, Langi, Maloney Goals: Maloney 4 |
James Maloney’s late score capped an impressive Catalans Dragons comeback as Hull let slip a 28-10 lead.
The crucial try came just moments after Marc Sneyd had scored what looked like a match-winning drop-goal for Hull. But Catalans fought back as Maloney won it with his own converted score.
Hull led at the break, three tries to two, then added a further two to lead 28-10 before the Dragons’ rally.
Dragons signing Israel Folau had a limited input on his English debut.
That reflected the limited opportunities for protest, although he did win back the ball from the short restart to set up Maloney’s score.
Arguably, Wigan old boy Sam Tomkins – who was outstanding at full-back – provided a bigger target for the crowd’s boos.
While there was ample focus away from Catalans on Folau, Hull FC were equally occupied by the death of Adam Maher from motor neurone disease, which was marked by a minute’s applause.
Folau quiet on English debut
The towering presence of Folau’s muscular, powerful 6ft 4in frame certainly stood out on a chilly day in East Yorkshire, a totemic figure operating on the Dragons’ right edge.
His first touch was greeted by an audible boo, but any further audible crowd observations were fleeting.
One carry through the middle ended with a bruising, rib-rattling reception from the Hull defence, while a tiny glimpse of his skill set was offered by a cute flick to winger Lewis Tierney – delicate if not the most meaningful.
Defensively the 30-year-old was solid enough against the equally well-set Josh Griffin, but Hull had clearly read the tip sheet, opting to kick to the opposite side of the field and nullify the backfield threat of the former Kangaroos international.
Getting him involved without imbalancing the side will be Steve McNamara’s main task.
Throwing it away – Hull melted in the chill
When Manu Ma’u stomped his way over for try number five, Hull looked dominant and Catalans were struggling to shut down the relentless pack.
Shortly before that Jamie Shaul had raced 75 metres to cross, after a first-half in which Jake Connor provided two tries for Msahe Fonua with clever hands.
Then, when he limped off, Tuimavave took on the mantle and scored himself when he shuttled back against the grain.
Lee Radford will have questions to ask about his his side fell away so viciously, having seemed so in control.
Steve McNamara’s side failed to care for the ball sufficiently in certain periods but, when they did, they were able to spring points and none more so with their late comeback.
Benjamin Jullien’s scores, one in each half, both came down the right edge while Fouad Yaha squeezed in on the left after a sliding move.
Tomkins was the springboard for the fightback, breaking dangerously against a back-pedalling defence. He fed ex-Hull KR half Josh Drinkwater to scoot in after a searing break, then repeated the feat for Langi.
Maloney’s match-winning finish was then all about footwork and desire, holding off under pressure to silence a crowd buzzing after Sneyd’s drop goal.
Hull FC head coach Lee Radford told BBC Sport:
“I thought we had done enough to win the game twice. It was heartbreaking to lose in that manner.
“They got a wind behind them. We needed to break the back of it and it’s something we need to get better at.
“I want to fix things to enable to get us a result. It’s our job to build another good week’s prep.”
Catalans Dragons head coach Steve McNamara told BBC Sport:
“I didn’t think we would win it at 28-10. I did before the game. We planned and organised how we needed to play but we didn’t give ourselves a chance to do that for about 40 to 50 minutes.
“To come to Hull and win is always an achievement. But, if we’re going to be a contender we’re going to need to be better over 80 minutes.
“We didn’t use Israel Folau well enough. We didn’t kick to him enough. He was solid without being spectacular.”
Hull FC: Shaul; Buchanan, Griffin, Connor, Fonua; Kelly, Sneyd; Taylor, Houghton, Sao, Ma’u, Lane, Ellis.
Interchanges: Tuimavave, Satae, Fash, Bowden.
Catalans Dragons: S Tomkins; Tierney, Langi, Folau, Yaha; Maloney, Drinkwater; Garcia, Whitley, Jullien, Casty, Bousquet, McIlorum.
Interchanges: Seguier, Maria, Baitieri, Kasiano.
Referee: Gareth Hewer.
Article courtesy of BBC Sport
Source link
