Hull edge past
Wakefield

After suffering a painful cup final hangover at Bradford last week, Hull finally got their engage Super League campaign back on track with a hard-fought win over Wakefield at the Atlantic Solutions Stadium by 32-30.

The win, their fourth against the Wildcats this season, ensures next Friday?s clash with Warrington at the KC Stadium is now a direct shoot-out for fourth place in the table.

The contribution of short-term signing Sione Faumuina was pivotal, as he collected Nathan Blacklock?s pass to dive over and settle an absorbing contest, where the lead changed hands several times.

Faumuina, who will spend the rest of the season with Hull after joining from the New Zealand Warriors, was nowhere near as effective as Andrew Johns on his Warrington debut yesterday, but ultimately his contribution was just as vital.

Despite Hull starting brightly, it was Wakefield who broke the deadlock with just four minutes on the clock.

Sid Domic broke free from his marker, and a slick move across the width of the field saw Ben Jeffries and Rob Spicer combine to send Mick Wainwright over in the corner. David March slotted home a touchline conversion to open an early six-point lead.

With Hull?s half-back pairing of Paul Cooke and Danny Brough failing to slip into gear, it took a captain?s effort from Richard Swain to first haul Hull level, and then give them the lead.

His 10th-minute break allowed him to feed the onrushing Garreth Carvell who crossed, and then Swain was on hand to collect a superb Stephen Kearney offload and score himself. Brough converted on both occasions and Hull led 12-6.

Both sides were profligate in possession and with their discipline at times, but it was the smallest man on the field, Sam Obst, who managed to swing the game back in Wakefield?s favour before the break.

The former Whitehaven half broke free of Hull?s line and fed the supporting Jeffries to level the scores, before his pass on the back of Colum Halpenny?s break, allowed Domic to barge his way over the line.

March?s conversions opened up an 18-12 lead, which was reduced to two points when Gareth Raynor crept in at the corner. March?s penalty after a high tackle by Paul McNicholas sent the hosts in 20-16 ahead at the break.

Chris Chester?s effort, taking advantage of good work from Cooke and Brough, and Brough?s touchline goal, briefly returned Hull the lead, but Olivier Elima soon tempered their joy, getting on the end of Jeffries? kick to touch down. March converted and opened up a four point lead at 26-22.

As tempers became frayed, referee Pete Bentham spoke to Swain, Domic, Cooke, David Solomona and Michael Korkidas after two brawls. The incidents appeared to galvanise the visitors, and they once again regained the lead on the hour mark. Swain fed Cooke, whose arching run saw him touch down close to the corner. Brough kicked Hull back ahead at 28-26.

In the 65th minute Solomona, who was outstanding all game, chipped the ball over Motu Tony, and after collecting his own kick, slipped the ball to Austin Buchanan, who steamed clear to score to the left of the posts. March missed the conversion and was made to pay when Faumuina stole the show late on.

Wakefield: Halpenny, Wainwright, Domic, Spicer, Buchanan, Jeffries, Obst, Korkidas, March, Elima, Solomona, Henderson, J. Field. Replacements: Griffin, Wrench, M. Field, Feather.

Hull: Tony, Blacklock, Whiting, Faumuina, Raynor, Cooke, Brough, Carvell, Swain, Thackray, Chester, Kearney, McMenemy.

Replacements: Dowes, Dixon, McNicholas, King.

Wakefield (20) 30. Tries: Wainwright, Jeffries, Domic, Elima, Buchanan. Goals: March 5.

Hull (16) 32. Tries: Carvell, Swain, Raynor, Chester, Cooke, Faumuina. Goals: Brough 4.

Referee: P Benthan (RFL)

Att: 5,721