Hull (4) 22
Tries: Hall, Calderwood, Raynor, Cordoba Goals: Tickle 3
Celtic Crusaders (0) 6
Tries: Chan Goals: Quinn
Hull FC got back to winning ways but needed a late rally to see off Super League strugglers Celtic Crusaders. Three tries in the final 10 minutes from Gareth Raynor, Mark Calderwood and Josh Cordoba helped Richard Agar's side scrape a victory. The Crusaders had led 6-4 until winger Raynor slid in at the corner for only his fourth try of the season. Calderwood and Cordoba then crossed to increase the advantage and deny John Dixon's side back-to-back wins. It had looked as though the sides would go in scoreless at the interval until Craig Hall, recalled from a loan spell with Widnes this week, finally broke the deadlock seconds before the hooter.  | 606: DEBATE |
Crusaders made an encouraging start to the second half, taking the lead with 50 minutes gone through forward Jason Chan. Damian Quinn added the goal, promoting Hull's fans to give Celtic a standing ovation in an unorthodox display of displeasure towards their side. The home side eventually regained the lead through Raynor before two further scores sealed the victory.
Hull coach Richard Agar (on the criticism from his side's supporters): "We've got a nervous team that's low on confidence and you can probably see it's not helping. It's there for all to see. I think the game was in the mix and it always helps when we get their help. "We're frustrated, we're all frustrated and it's a tough time but there are reasons and very mitigating factors behind that. "We are underperforming but it's at times like this we need their help more than ever and without doubt it has a pretty detrimental effect on the team." Celtic Crusaders coach John Dixon: "I'd probably have three or four fit players to throw on the park. We had one interchange available. We had Adam Peek with a busted knee, Jason Chan with a busted rib and Peter Lupton with a busted knee and in that last 15 minutes we had nothing to go to. "Give credit to Hull because they were pretty good in that last 15 minutes. "The better team, in the end, sort of got the result. At 6-4 we certainly were in a position to win the game of footy."
Hull: Tansey, Calderwood, Whiting, Hall, Raynor, R. Horne, Berrigan, Cordova, Houghton, King, Tickle, Manu, Radford.
Replacements: Lee, Moa, Burnett, G. Horne. Celtic Crusaders: Quinn, Dyer, Chalk, Dalle Cort, Blackwood, Smith, Van Dijk, O'Hara, Withers, Bryant, J. James, Chan, Lupton.
Replacements: Budworth, Peek, Beasley, Tangata-Toa. Referee: J Child (RFL)
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