Harvey Barron Stars as Hull FC Secure Narrow Win Over Bradford Bulls
Harvey Barron scored for Hull FC in their 27-20 victory against Bradford Bulls in a gripping Super League season opener at the MKM Stadium.
Tries: Batchelor, Barron, Litten, Cust
Goals: Pryce 5
Drop Goal: Pryce
Tries: Blake, Wynne 2
Goals: Milnes 4
Bradford Bulls were denied a comeback victory on their return to Super League after 11 years, as Hull FC clinched a last-minute 27-20 win in a thrilling match at the MKM Stadium.
Just 48 hours after newcomers York Knights stunned reigning champions Hull KR by a one-point margin, the visitors ended up on the losing side in an epic season-opening fixture.
It was a commendable effort from the Bulls, who made their first Super League appearance since 2014, as victory for their hosts never seemed guaranteed. The match was tied with three minutes of regular time remaining.
Hull FC fullback Will Pryce secured the lead with a drop goal before Cade Cust sealed the win by powering over the line in the 79th minute.
Bradford Bulls have endured significant challenges since their last Super League try, scored by Manese Manuokafoa in a win over London Broncos in September 2014, including liquidation and club reconstruction.
However, they appeared undeterred in the opening exchanges, pushing back last season's seventh-placed Super League side and scoring first through Waqa Blake. The Fijian international broke through Hull's defence to score on six minutes.
Hull's Pryce responded with a moment of brilliance, breaking defensive lines and executing a grubber kick as he was tackled, allowing Joe Batchelor to level the score 10 minutes later. Bradford then regained the lead through former Hull FC back Connor Wynne.
Harvey Barron answered again for Hull, putting the hosts ahead 12-10 with Pryce's reliable goal-kicking. Davy Litten extended the lead to 18-10 at halftime after breaking through weak tackles on the left wing.
John Cartwright's side may have hoped the Bulls would tire in the second half, but they were quickly proven wrong. Six minutes after the break, Rowan Milnes converted a try to give Bradford the lead.
Milnes added two penalty goals, including one following a high tackle by Aidan Sezer on Joe Mellor in the 61st minute, putting Bradford ahead 20-18.
Eight minutes later, Hull capitalized on a penalty in front of the posts, with Pryce leveling the score once more with 10 minutes remaining.
Bradford gained excellent field position from a goal-line dropout after a Milnes drop goal attempt was charged down, but a knock-on during their attack halted their momentum.
Hull then surged forward, and with three minutes left, Pryce kicked a 30-metre drop goal to put Hull ahead 21-20.
With one minute remaining, Cade Cust added a try to secure the final scoreline.
Team Lineups
Hull FC: Pryce; Barron, Hardaker, Litten, Martin; Kemp, Sezer; Knight, Bourouh, Hill, Batchelor, Romano, Aydin
Interchanges: Cust, Fash, Lisone, Sao
Bradford Bulls: Aekins; Okunbur, Marsters, Blake, Wynne; Keyes, Milnes; Sutton, Ackers, Lewis, Russell, Fulton, Mellor
Interchanges: Souter, Scurr, Doro, Chamberlain
