Celtic Crusaders (10) 20
Tries: Quinn, Chalk 2, Duggan Goals: Hannay 2

Hull (18) 28
Tries: Berrigan, Tickle 3, Calderwood Goals: Tickle 4

Hull's Danny Tickle scored a fine hat-trick to deny Celtic Crusaders victory on their first Super League home game.

The Crusaders went ahead when stand-off Damien Quinn crashed over while second row Marshall Chalk added another.

But Hull regrouped after Shaun Berrigan crossed and Tickle's converted try on 36 minutes put them 12-10 ahead.

Tickle added two more after the break to make the score 24-10 and although Chalk claimed his second try, Mark Calderwood's score sealed victory.

606: DEBATE Hull were deserved winners having too much knowledge and experience in the last quarter of the field luckycelticman

Tickle ended the match with four conversions after a commanding performance - although Calderwood was sin-binned for a high tackle in the second half.

Hull head coach Richard Agar:
"We are really happy. There were some hurdles and obstacles to this occasion, being their first match at home.

"It was a very special and historic occasion for them and the way they started the two Super League games so far, the start was something they would want to rectify.

"We really struggled to grind some yards out early and get some decent field condition. The second 20 minutes of the first half, though, we posed significant threats.

"We showed a willingness to use the ball but the execution on the final pass and the last play could have been a bit more polished. That was probably to our detriment.

"The first 20 minutes could have taken a bit out of us and we probably hurt ourselves at times with a lack of respect for the ball. We could have played the percentages a bit more."

Crusaders head coach John Dixon:
"We have got some footy in this team and it's about tapping into it.

"It's like comparing us to an infant who struggles to stand up and then falls down but keeps trying to stand up.

"It was a good start for us today and credit to Hull in that they fought back into it very well and the try just on half-time was one of the important actions of the game.

"If we got that win today, then we would have convinced everybody we have a footy team here.

"Now we have a break next week because of the World Club Challenge. We can recharge our batteries and set our sights on a nice easy game against St Helens!"

Celtic Crusaders: Duggan, Dyer, Hannay, Dalle Cort, Blackwood, Quinn, Van Dijk, O'Hara, Budworth, Bryant, Peek, Chalk, Beasley.
Replacements: Smith, Lupton, Flower, J James.

Hull: Byrne, Calderwood, G Horne, Yeaman, Briscoe, R Horne, Thorman, Dowes, Berrigan, Cusack, Burnett, Tickle, Radford.
Replacements: Washbrook, Thackray, Manu, Houghton.

Referee: J Leahy (Dewsbury)

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