Fresh from their big win over the Leeds Rhinos last weekend, Hull FC were looking to continue their good form as the Huddersfield Giants rolled into town, their eyes on re-joining the pack at the top of the table with a chance that a big win would lift them to the top.

Both sides had been decimated by losses with FC unable to call on the services of Kane Evans, Jamie Shaul and Joe Cator while the Giants were without Theo Fages and Sebastine  Ikahihifo

The bookies had made the Giants slight favourites but only offered the Airlie Birds a two-point start in the coupon, the stage was set for a close competition between the sides currently fourth and fifth in the table.

On thirteen minutes a moment of Jake Connor magic gave Hull FC the lead after they had dominated the opening minutes. The Black & White´s full back put in the perfect grubber kick for Mitieli Vulikijapani to collect and dot down. Ben McNamara added the conversion for a 6-0 lead.

The Giants worked hard to get themselves back into the game but it was the home side who should have scored a second try on twenty-five, but tremendous Giants defence forced the handover on their own line.

On the half hour mark, Giant Joe Greenwood was held up over the line thanks to Jake Connor´s defensive efforts, FC focussing on their defence and frustrating the visitors.

A ferocious tackle from Andre Savelio on thirty-seven saw the captains warned and within a minute Adam Swift failed to take in a pass with the try line begging as the ball went into touch, FC into the sheds with a six-point lead.

A double movement from Greenwood denied the Giants the first try of the second half on forty-nine and as Hull turned defence into attack the Giants conceded a penalty for offside with McNamara accepting the invitation to kick the penalty goal to extend the lead to eight points.

A terrible mistake from Tui Lolohea, fumbling a Joe Lovodua kick through was stabbed forward by Connor and picked up and grounded by Savelio. McNamara added the conversion for 14-0 There was plenty of afters and as a result Liam Moore put the incident on report.

An awful tackle from Will Pryce on Connor Wynne, throwing him over his shoulder with the FC winger landing on his head, saw the referee red card the Giants scrum half on sixty-five, the game now beyond Huddersfield.

With eleven minutes remaining the Giants finally got a score when Chris McQueen took a pass down the blind side from the back of the scrum and ran over the top of his tackler to ground. Lolohea added the conversion for 6-14.

This was a gritty low-scoring encounter between two sides who focussed on their defences over their attack. Hull controlled large periods of the game but could only make it over the line twice. The Giants late consolation came after they went down to twelve men after a Will Pryce incident which will no doubt be a major talking point during the week and which will likely see him miss a few matches.

Hull FC: Connor, Wynne, Vulikijapani (T), Griffin, Swift, McNamara (3G), Lovodua, Sao, Houghton, Satae, Ma´u, Savelio (T), Brown. Subs: Bowden, Lane, Fash, Johnstone.

Huddersfield Giants: Lolohea (G), McGillvary, Cudjoe, Leutele, Senior L, Russell, Pryce (SO on 65), Trout, Levi, Hill, McQueen (T), Roberts, Yates. Subs:  Golding, English, Greenwood, Wilson.

Half-Time: 6-0.

Full-Time: 14-6.

Score Progression: 4-0, 6-0 : HT : 8-0, 12-0, 14-0, (SO), 14-4, 14-6 : FT .

Referee: Liam Moore.