Marc Sneyd produces another drop goal as Hull record their second golden point victory in controversial fashion. Here’s what happened.
MATCH DETAILS
Marc Sneyd’s brilliance in extra time allowed Hull to complete a second golden point victory of the season. Catalans will feel hard done by after a few key calls went against them.
Hull came into the fixture with an abundance of injuries, which included Joe Westerman who pulled out during the warm up. Early signs didn’t look great as Sam Tomkins broke through the line, before a simple inside ball found Tony Gigot who touched down under the sticks with only six minutes on the clock.
The first talking point of the match came when Brayden Willame produced what looked like a reckless shoulder charge on Jake Connor. Referee Chris Kendall sent Willame to the sin bin and Hull were unable to capitalise.
Connor was involved when Hull scored their first try of the match. A flat pass found debutant Jack Brown who raced through the line underneath the sticks. This was quickly followed with Hull’s second two minutes later as 18-year old fullback Connor Wynne picked up a loose ball to give Hull a 12-8 before the half hour mark.
The Black and Whites extended their lead before half time when Josh Griffin crashed over from close range. Lee Radford’s side went into the break with a 18-8 advantage.
Straight after the break, the Dragons struck back through Jason Baitieri. Sam Kasiano ran at the Hull line before producing the gap for Baitieri to run through.
The sides exchanged tries as Griffin crossed for another and then Benjamin Garcia grounded underneath the sticks only four minutes after, with Hull leading 24-20 with twenty minutes to go.
Bureta Faraimo powered over in the corner after a flick pass from Connor but Hull were beginning to tire.
Fouad Yaha was found some space on the Dragon’s left edge and the in-form winger grounded, with the game poised at 28-24 with 11 minutes left.
More controversy came four minutes from time when Matt Whitely thought he’d potentially won it for the Dragons. However, after consultation from the video referee, it was deemed Greg Bird had interfered with the defensive line.
Catalans looked like they had won it a minute from full-time when Kasiano used his brute strength and grounded despite four Hull defenders’ best efforts.
With four seconds remaining, Sneyd’s short kick off was deemed to have been caught within 10 metres of the half way line by Williame. Sneyd was left with the task of converting a penalty from half way to take the game to extra time and he was able to do so.
Catalans were receiving the ball but the kick off was driven hard and low by Sneyd into touch and in the resulting set, Sneyd, from around 20 metres, produced the match winning drop goal. The win extends Hull’s away run to five victories, with the only away defeat coming against Hull KR in round one.
FOUR POINTERS
Goldenย record
Hull are currently the only side to have gained two golden point wins in Super League this year, with both times Marc Sneyd producing the goods. Unlike the away match at Wigan, Hull had to defend the first set, however Sneyd’s kick found touch which put them in a perfect position.
Concern for Garcia
Ben Garcia returned to the side after missing six matches and capped his reappearance with a try. But it came at a cost as his leg bent underneath Gareth Ellis and the Dragons forward limped off. They will be hoping it is not a serious injury.
Age not an issue
Hull named players at both ends of the playing age spectrum. Try scorers Connor Wynne and Jack Brown are just under half the age of team mates Gareth Ellis and Mark Minichello aged 37, but it seems to work. The experience of senior players has worked well with the passion of the youngsters and surely it is only beneficial for the club.
Lack of consistency
Many decisions baffled supporters today, which begs the question, is there enough consistency in the RFL? One key aspect of this was the shoulder charge. Last season Faraimo against Hull KR was sent off due to both feet leaving the ground, similar to Williame, however he only received a yellow card and both times the referee was Chris Kendall. But the ‘soft’ obstruction decision was consist with a decision gave during Thursday nights match at Huddersfield.
THE RESULT
Catalans Dragons 30
Tries: Gigot, Baiteri, Garcia, Yaha, Kasino
Goals: Tomkins 5
Drop Goals: n/a
Hull FC 31
Tries: Brown, Wynne, Griffin 2, Faraimo
Goals: Sneyd 5
Drop Goals: Sneyd
SQUADS
Catalans Dragons: Gigot, Tierney, Langi, Wiliame, Yaha, Tomkins, Albert, Bousquet, Da Costa, Moa, Jullien, Whitley, Casty.
Interchanges:ย Garcia, Bird, Baitieri, Kasiano
Hull FC: Wynne, Logan, Tuimavave, Griffin, Faraimo, Connor, Sneyd, Thompson, Houghton, Ellis, S Manu, Minichiello, Hadley
Interchanges:ย Kelly, Lane, Brown, Nzoungou
