Hull hit Super League summit

A masterclass display from stand-off Richard Horne was the highlight against a Huddersfield side who never fully recovered from a wretched first-half performance at the Galpharm Stadium.

Hull were also indebted to the silky skills of former Giants captain Chris Thorman while the victory was sweet, too, for football manager Jon Sharp, who was sacked by Huddersfield last June.

Huddersfield made a dream start with a try from skipper Brett Hodgson after just two minutes. Craig Hall, a third-choice full-back for Hull in the absence of Motu Tony and Todd Byrne, fumbled Luke Robinson's high kick on his own line and Hodgson was on hand to touch down.

Hall made amends seven minutes later, however, by providing the final pass for winger Tom Briscoe to score an equalising try and Hull went on to boss the show as second-rower Willie Manu offloaded from a two-man tackle and Horne jinked his way past four defenders to touch down.

Huddersfield pulled a try back during a rare foray into Hull territory when former Harlequins back rower Joe Walsh took Scott Moore's pass from dummy half to touch down just seven minutes after going on as substitute for his debut.

Hodgson's conversion cut the deficit to just two points but Hull restored their eight-point lead six minutes before half-time when substitute Jamie Thackray powered his way over at the corner after Huddersfield failed to deal with Horne's high kick.

Snappy handling by Moore and Hodgson got stand-off Kevin Brown through a chink the Hull defence for the Giants' third try but Hodgson was once more off target with the goal attempt.

Yet another handling error by the Giants deep inside their own half then gifted Hull a perfect attacking position and they took full advantage, with centre Kirk Yeaman racing onto Chris Thorman's expertly-judged grubber kick to touch down.

Tickle was off target for the first time but made amends with a 40-metre penalty to open up a 10-point lead but Huddersfield had the last say as Brown sent winger David Hodgson over for a consolation try in injury time, Brett Hodgson kicking his second goal.