Hull FC (6) 18
Tries: R Horne, Richards, Cusack Goals: Tickle 3 Wigan (6) 10
Tries: Bailey, Richards Goal: Richards

Richard Horne's try came after excellent work from Shaun Berrigan

Wigan lost for the second successive weekend in Super League as Hull opened their campaign with a victory.

Phil Bailey put Wigan ahead after collecting a pass from Darrel Goulding before Richard Horne crossed for Hull.

Pat Richards beat Mark Calderwood to a cross-field kick as he restored Wigan's lead but Danny Tickle played in Lee Radford for the home side.

Richards could not convert his try and Wigan trailed 12-10 before Peter Cusack scored the decisive try for Hull.

Wigan had been heavily criticised after their home defeat to Wakefield on the opening weekend of the season - and the result at the KC Stadium will further increase the pressure on coach Brian Noble.

However, the Warriors started the match well and almost scored through Richards, who was denied by an excellent tackle by former Warriors winger Mark Calderwood.

606: DEBATE A great two points for the Black and Whites themightylamb

But a kick from Tim Smith changed the direction of play and after Chris Thorman failed to intercept Goulding's inside pass, Bailey crossed; with Richards adding the extras.

Hull responded, with Richard Horne profiting from some excellent work by Shaun Berrigan and Tickle levelling the scores with his conversion.

Goulding almost added a second Wigan try before the break, but he was denied by an excellent tackle by Kirk Yeaman, while Tickle missed with a penalty attempt from 40 yards shortly before the hooter sounded.

Wigan regained the lead after Calderwood's hesitancy allowed Richards the opportunity to collect Smith's kick - although the Ireland international missed with his conversion attempt.

George Carmont made a brilliant tackle to thwart Graeme Horne but the home team would not be denied after 57 minutes.

Tickle stripped the ball from Amos Roberts after a kick from Thorman and passed for Radford to cross.

Tickle's conversion then edged Hull in front for the first time in the match before a neat sidestep from Cusack saw him cross to seal victory for the Airlie Birds.

Hull FC coach Richard Agar:
"It's a great start for us and I thought we deserved it. As a contest, the commitment from both sides was fantastic.

"We had a fair bit thrown at us and our line was very confident. We held our defensive end up well.

"We feel we have prepared well and physically we're in a better place."

Wigan coach Brian Noble:
"I thought we deserved something from the game. I thought it was a really good game.

"Sometimes you don't get what you deserve and had our execution been as good as our effort we'd have posted more points.

"We just didn't quite have the patience and composure to execute at the death."

Hull: Byrne, Calderwood, G Horne, Yeaman, Briscoe, R Horne, Thorman, Dowes, Berrigan, Cusack, Burnett, Tickle, Radford.
Replacements: Washbrook, Thackray, Manu, King.

Wigan: Roberts, Phelps, Goulding, Carmont, Richards, Smith, Leuluai, Fielden, Riddell, O'Carroll, Hock, Bailey, O'Loughlin.
Replacements: J Tomkins, Paleaaesina, Hansen, McIlorum.

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