Hull moved into third place in the engage Super League with a performance that
offered more hope to ailing Widnes than John Kear's title-chasing side.
The Black and Whites were indebted to the performances of scrum half Danny
Brough and prop Jamie Thackray in particular as they made heavy work of Frank
Endacott's strugglers.
Brough posted 12 points with the boot and Thackray proved a constant menace
throughout as Hull eventually squeezed despite a number of scares.
Kear was forced to alter the side that won at Wakefield last week with Tom
Saxton and Paul McNicholas coming in for the injured Gareth Raynor and Stephen
Kearney. There was also a rare outing at hooker for Hull's 24-year-old assistant
coach Andy Last, who retired two years ago after being told he would not make
the grade in Super League. Widnes handed debuts to Richie Barnett, on loan from
Hull and Gray Viane, whilst Terry O'Connor and Owen Craigie returned from
injury.
In a fluent opening quarter not in keeping with their lowly league position,
Widnes shocked Hull with a period of dominance that was only threatened when
Nathan Blacklock and Shayne McMenemy knocked on with an open field ahead after
intercepting passes. Stephen Myler put the Vikings ahead with an early penalty
and their lead was extended in the 12th minute through Simon Finnigan. Hull
allowed Aaron Moule to rampage down the left flank and after he stood up in Tom
Saxton's tackle, he offloaded to Finnigan who had an easy path to the line.
Myler goaled to hand the visitors a shock eight-point lead.
However, after withstanding a period of severe pressure, Hull fought their way
back into the game through captain Richard Horne's first try of the season. He
collected a deft offload from Ewan Dowes to race into a gap and touch down under
the posts. Brough added the extras before levelling the scores with a penalty.
The home side moved into the lead for the first time on the 30-minute mark
when a flowing move that involved Horne, his brother Graeme and Paul Cooke
created a try from Kirk Yeaman to the left of the posts. Brough again added the
conversion and the lead could have been extended further had Graeme Horne not
knocked on under pressure from Tim Holmes as he was about to touch down. Moule
then evaded three Hull tacklers to ground in the left corner but the visitors'
joy was short-lived as Yeaman sprinted 80metres to score his second try on the
stroke of half-time. Brough's impressive goalkicking took Hull into the break
20-12 ahead.
Despite squandering their early lead the Vikings refused to buckle and were
back in the game six minutes into the second half. Craigie's pass was collected
by Daniel Frame and, despite the close attention of Yeaman and Blacklock, he was
allowed to cross the line and reduce the deficit to four points. Myler failed to
add the touchline goal. Hull's sketchy performance was typified when Graeme
Horne chose to kick ahead after making a clean break despite having Blacklock
supporting on his inside.
The Vikings then moved back in front with Finnigan's second try of the
afternoon. Moule steamed into a gap created by Craigie and he was given enough
time to offload to Finnigan who grounded under the posts. Myler's goal gave the
visitors a two-point cushion at 22-20. Widnes held firm as Hull probed for a way
back in and their patience was ultimately rewarded when Whiting robbed Barnett
in the air following Brough's high kick and was able to score to the right of
the posts. Brough's conversion took Hull into the last quarter with a slender
four-point advantage.
Widnes were put to bed by Blacklock's 70th-minute touchdown following
excellent centre play by Yeaman. Despite Andrew Emelio's 78th minute try after
good work from Viane and Myler's subsequent goal, Widnes had left themselves
with too much to do and it was fitting that Brough's 100% record with the boot
should prove the difference between the two sides.
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