London Broncos 12 Hull FC 14: Tickle has last laugh for play-off chasing visitors

|

UPDATED:

16:30 GMT, 20 May 2012

Danny Tickle's late penalty proved crucial as Hull FC edged out the London Broncos in a tight contest at Gillingham's Priestfield Stadium.

Tickle's successful kick 12 minutes from time gave Hull an eight-point lead and London were unable to make up that gap despite going over for a converted try soon after.

Hull's victory, which also saw Tickle convert tries from Ben Crooks and Richard Whiting, helps the Black and Whites maintain their play-off push while the Broncos continue to struggle at the wrong end of the table after losing a match they could easily have won.

Kicking king: Danny Tickle scored a late penalty to help Hull to victory

The hosts were missing Matt Cook after he picked up a knock in the Challenge Cup quarter-final defeat at Huddersfield last weekend.

The Broncos mixed things up by moving Dan Sarginson to stand-off, with Michael Witt switching to hooker and Omari Caro starting on the wing.

But there was better injury news for the visitors, with both Joe Westerman (shoulder) and Richard Horne (groin) returning among the replacements.

While Hull entered the game buoyed by their recent victory over Leeds, and with a top-eight finish pretty much in the bag, the Londoners found themselves in a scrap to avoid being cut adrift at the foot of the Super League table.

Rob Powell's men had just two wins to their name all season, and came up short when they took their last home game on the road, a disappointing loss to Bradford at Leyton Orient.

But they started the game on the front foot, with repeated sets in the Hull half finally seeing Kieran Dixon speed in at the corner inside the first 10 minutes.

Going nowhere: Daniel Sarginson is tackled by Danny Houghton and Willie Manu

Scrum-half Craig Gower was pulling all the strings, with the veteran's kicking game pinning Hull back.

The visitors were producing a very sloppy display, with handling errors to the fore.

But with the hosts failing to cash in their ascendancy, and Sarginson being forced to depart with a head injury, Hull struck back midway through the half with a try from Crooks after good work from Willie Manu.

Gower thought he had given London the lead again just before the break when he stretched over, only for referee Thierry Alibert to chalk it off for crossing.

The sloppiness continued after the interval, with handling errors stopping Hull gaining any momentum.

But it was Manu again that got them going, showing great strength to move the visitors to the line, with Whiting applying the finishing touch on 50 minutes.

In vain: Kieran Dixon scores a try for London Broncos but they slipped to defeat

The Broncos were having plenty of possession, but a lack of creativity was proving their undoing.

And as the half progressed the Black and Whites finally began exerting some authority, Horne's kicking pinning London back at their sticks.

The game was still tight on the scoreboard, but Hull nudged further ahead when Tickle booted a penalty after Shane Rodney transgressed.

The Broncos came straight back though, Michael Robertson cashing in with a try on 72 minutes after Gower's kick confused the Hull defence.

The Londoners continued to press, but were unable to find that decisive score.