Round 1
Warrington Wolves 32 d. Hull FC 20

2008 engage English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: United Kingdom > National > First Grade Competition: engage English Super League

King stars as Wolves defeat injury hit Hull FC
Sun February 10, 2008
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Australian Test centre Matt King marked his engage Super League debut with a spectacular length-of-the-field try as Warrington Wolves made an impressive 32-20 start to the season against injury-hit Hull FC.

The Wolves' other high-profile signings, Michael Monaghan, Chris Hicks and Louis Anderson, also made their mark as Warrington set their stall out to shed the under-achievers tag that has dogged them in recent years.

With scrum-half Monaghan pulling the strings and new captain Adrian Morley setting a superb example up front, the hosts looked a well-organised unit with firepower out wide.

Hull's injury crisis deepened with the loss of prop Garreth Carvell because of a knee problem but they shrugged off their woes to make a game of it, with teenage centre Craig Hall scoring two first-half tries.

The lasting memory for the 11,000 crowd will be the breathtaking try from King, whose last competitive match was for Melbourne Storm in October's NRL Grand Final triumph.

Monaghan, who was the architect of five of his side's six tries, released speedy winger Kevin Penny after taking the ball from a restart near his own line and the giant threequarter was in support to sprint 60 metres for the try.

Hull were missing seven regulars, five of them from their back division, but they showed commendable spirit throughout and took the lead with an early penalty from Danny Tickle.

Once Monaghan began pulling the strings, however, the Wolves began to look a class act and well capable of realising the huge expectations that resulted from their expensive recruitment.

Monaghan combined with half-back partner Lee Briers to get full-back Chris Bridge over for the game's first try after 13 minutes and the pair were also instrumental in Hicks' fine finish seven minutes later.

Bridge, whose half of mixed fortunes began when he took the ball over the dead-ball line from the kick-off, slipped on the greasy turf to gift a try to Hall, who was following up Danny Washbrook's speculative kick to the line.

Two tries in a minute from loose forward Vinnie Anderson, who took a pass from younger brother and debutant Louis, and King looked to have put the home side in firm command but Hall finished off a neat break by winger Todd Byrne to claim his second try and Tickle's third goal cut the deficit to six points at the break.

Warrington continued to dominate in the second half and they looked to have increased their lead when Hicks squeezed over in the corner for what would have been his second try.

Video referee Steve Ganson disallowed the score, ruling Monaghan had passed off the ground earlier in the move, but there was no stopping second rower Ben Westwood shortly afterwards when he took a short pass from the little Australian and stretched for the line.

Briers' third conversion made it 26-14 and Westwood had a second try disallowed after 54 minutes for a double movement.

It took Warrington until the 75th minute to get their next try, with Bridge taking a neat offload from veteran prop Paul Rauhihi to score his second try, and Briers kicked his fourth goal from seven attempts.

Hull at least had the final score when substitute Graeme Horne took Paul King's short pass to scoot away for a third try and Tickle maintained his 100 per cent record with a fourth goal.

The visitors sent on 17-year-old centre Tom Briscoe for his debut and he was immediately given the job of marking King, just days after taking time off school to train with his new team-mates.

Report source: www.superleague.co.uk

Article: Cullen cool despite win


Cusack takes over from injured Radford as Hull FC captain
Thu February 7, 2008
Source: www.hullfc.com

Experienced prop Peter Cusack will take over from the injured Lee Radford as Hull FC's captain in their opening engage Super League game against Warrington Wolves at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Friday (7-30pm).

Radford is out for another couple of weeks after breaking his thumb against Huddersfield Giants in team mates Paul King's Testimonial and coach Peter Sharp has turned to his new Australian recruit to lead his side.

Cusack, one of four close season signings from Australia, captained South Sydney during his two year spell with the Rabbitohs.

Sharp said: "Peter is tremendously experience and he has already shown good leadership qualities on the training pitch and in the gym.

"He has respect and will offer us just what we're looking for on the field, and he also gets in a lot of game time during matches."

The 31-year-old, who appeared in four NRL Grand Finals with Sydney City Roosters, said: "It is an honour, especially for a new club.

"But what is important is that we play to our game plan and do the things we have done in training.

"If we do that then we put ourselves in with a chance."

Meanwhile, Australia Test star Shaun Berrigan has been given the all clear to make his engage Super League debut for Hull FC against Warrington Wolves at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Friday (7-30pm).

Close season signing Berrigan injured his shoulder in prop Paul King's Testimonial against Super League rivals Huddersfield Giants on January 13th.

The inclusion of the former Brisbane Broncos, Queensland and Australia star hooker is a major booster for Hull who will be missing seven injured star players, three Great Britain internationals Richard Horne, Gareth Raynor and Kirk Yeaman, England internationals Lee Radford and Richard Whiting, former Australian Test player Matt Sing and influential half back Adam Dykes.

Berrigan will be joined by two of Hull's other close season recruits, Australian duo prop Peter Cusack and utility back Todd Byrne.

Although missing some key players, coach Peter Sharp is still very much upbeat and said: "We are happy with our squad and we'll be going to Warrington to play very hard and hopefully get a result."

Hull FC (squad): Shaun Berrigan, Todd Byrne, Garreth Carvell, Peter Cusack, Ewan Dowes, Matty Dale, Craig Hall, Graeme Horne, Danny Houghton, Paul King, Tommy Lee, Danny Washbrook, Danny Tickle, Scott Wheeldon, Tom Briscoe, Mike Burnett, Ashley Thackeray, Motu Tony, Willie Manu.

News sent by: www.hullfc.com

Advanced Search