Hull claim Halifax hat-trick

Tony Grimaldi had a solid game for the home team

Hull 32-16 Halifax

Hull maintained their pursuit of the third play-off spot with a third victory of the season over Halifax.

Two tries by Deon Bird led the charge but solo efforts from Richard Horne and Scott Logan did the damage.

Horne's try came just before the break as the 19-year-old sliced through the visitors' defence in dazzling style to stretch Hull's lead to 20-6.

And Logan nipped a spirited second-half Halifax rally in the bud when he charged through a tiring defence to push Hull 10 points clear.

Credit to Halifax and especially Gavin Clinch, (but) the extra man proved crucial in the end and allowed us to win comfortably

  Shaun McRae
Hull coach

Halifax hopes of turning the tide were not helped by the 28th minute dismissal of forward Paul Davidson for a high tackle on Horne.

It was the second straight game that Davidson has been sent off.

Early second half tries by Stuart Donlan and Danny Tickle gave Halifax hope especially with Gavin Clinch in excellent kicking form, but Hull's one-man advantage eventually told.

Hull coach Shaun McRae was delighted. "We became a little lethargic early in the second half and let them back in the game," he said.

"At 20-6 at half-time we were pretty much in control but then let it slip a bit with a few errors in the wet conditions.

"But credit to Halifax and especially Gavin Clinch. They battled hard.

"The extra man proved crucial in the end and allowed us to win comfortably."

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Hull: Prescott, Farrell, Bird, Campbell, Raynor, Cooke, Horne, Logan, King, Felsch, Maiden, Grimaldi, J. Smith.
Replacements: Carvell, T. Smith, Craven, Fletcher.

Halifax: Gibson, Cardoza, Hassan, Donlan, Lee, Firth, Clinch, Hobson, Lawless, Gannon, Davidson, McMenemy, Bloem.
Replacements: Tickle, Penkywicz, Hughes, Marns.

Referee: Richard Silverwood (Dewsbury)