Super League: Hull FC too strong for London Broncos
Hull celebrated the competitive debut of captain Gareth Ellis in style as they strolled to a 48-12 victory over London.
Last Updated: 03/05/13 10:21pm
London took the lead with a Matt Cook try, before Ben Crooks showed his skills with a score and the break that set up Richard Whiting's try to give Hull a 12-6 half-time lead.
Crooks ran another great line in the second period to grab his second, and then Tom Briscoe (twice) and Kirk Yeaman added further tries for Hull. The Broncos pulled one back through Michael Witt, but Hull scored two more through Joe Westerman and Mark O'Meley.
Briscoe spilled an almost certain interception try for the hosts, before the Broncos powered over when former Hull man Tommy Lee supplied an excellent short pass for Cook to crash over.
The visitors continued to dominate field position due to poor discipline by the home side and some quality Craig Gower kicking that forced a drop-out, but Chris Bailey's knock-on relieved the pressure on Hull.
The hosts soon forced a drop-out of their own and were clinical with their chance, Horne's pass finding Crooks who again displayed his potency in the redzone by spinning in the tackle and using his long stretch to touchdown.
Dangerman
Yet again Crooks was the dangerman only two minutes later as his break and pass inside allowed Danny Houghton to supply Whiting for the score under the posts which Holdsworth converted for a six-point halt-time lead.
Hull started the stronger in the second half as they blitzed London with four tries in 14 minutes.
They first extended their lead in the 44th minute with Crooks grabbing his second try of the game off a great short ball by Holdsworth as the Australian went down the blindside on the last tackle.
Briscoe then grabbed two tries in quick succession, the first off a one-handed flick pass by Holdsworth, and the second off a powerful long range break from Yeaman.
It was not long before Yeaman got in on the act with a try of his own benefiting from swift hands and a Shannon McDonnell short pass.
London hit back with a Witt try following a neat break but Hull added late tries through Westerman and O'Meley to complete a one-sided result.