Super League: Hull FC claim last-gasp draw against London Broncos
Hull FC overcame a 12-point deficit to snatch a share of the spoils against the London Broncos in an 18-all draw.
Last Updated: 23/03/13 9:22pm
The Broncos held a four-point lead at half time courtesy of Kieran Dixon's try after Ben Galea cancelled out Tommy Lee's opener for Tony Rea's side.
Michael Witt extended their advantage with his second of three kicks on 51 minutes, before London game themselves breathing room thanks to a try from ex-Bradford and Hull KR man Matt Cook.
Joe Westerman's try, converted by Danny Tickle, brought the Black and Whites to within six points and they snatched a last-gasp point with Richard Horne crossing the try line and Tickle holding his nerve with the conversion.
The home side had started quicker and a period of sustained attacks on the Hull line eventually told, as Lee shrugged off Westerman and rode a couple of other Hull tacklers to touch down under the posts after 23 minutes. Michael Witt's conversion made it 6-0.
Ten minutes later Hull pegged the home side back in controversial style. After a suspected forward pass in the build-up, Galea regathered a grubber kick which bounced off a Broncos defender to score his third try of the season. Tickle's conversion levelled the scores.
Highlight
The highlight of the half then arrived as Dixon picked up the ball on the left wing and danced his way past two Hull defenders to score his seventh try of the season. Witt missed the conversion but the home side led 10-6 at half-time.
Three back-to-back penalties for the Broncos then followed as they made their way upfield and gave Witt a chance to have a shot at goal. He made no mistake to take the score to 12-6 after 51 minutes.
The Broncos' third try arrived with 22 minutes left to play. Prop Cook took a flat ball from Lee and broke the first line of Hull's defence, before putting in Tom Briscoe to extend his team's lead, with Witt's conversion, to 18-6.
Impressive Hull captain Danny Houghton dragged his side upfield with some big charges and a try for Westerman followed. The forward spun off a defender to touch down and bring Hull back into the game with 15 minutes left - Tickle's conversion making it 18-12.
Hull sensed a comeback and the Broncos soaked up a lot of pressure over the next ten minutes. But the visitors could not take advantage of a scrum near the Broncos line, and the home side took possession again in the last five minutes.
However with time running out, the Airlie Birds worked the ball out wide for Horne and he went over in left-hand corner before Tickle's nerveless leveller.