Broncos head coach Rob Powell made a few interesting positional switches for the game with Dan Sarginson, who has played most of his Super League rugby at centre, moved to stand off and the usual stand off Michael Witt at hooker with Chad Randall on the bench. By contrast Hull started with the same 13 who had beaten Leeds in their last outing.

The Broncos began in positive fashion, a series of penalties and handling errors giving them numerous sets of tackles in the Hull half. The visitors' defence was impressive but was eventually breeched when a long pass from Chris Bailey enabled Kieran Dixon to squeeze over in the corner.

Michael Witt's touchline conversion made it 6-0 and when Hull put the re-start out on the full the home side were on the attack again. This time they couldn't find a way through but midway through the half another scoring opportunity presented itself when Omari Caro intercepted deep in his own half and set off down the right wing.

He was eventually hauled down 20 metres short of the Hull line but the Broncos couldn't capitalise on a good attacking position. This failure to rack up more points was to come back to haunt them.

When the visitors eventually managed to attack the Broncos line they drew level. Following a good initial defensive effort, Sarginson was forced off with an injury and Hull were awarded a penalty near the line which they took full advantage of, Ben Crooks thundering on to a short pass from Willie Manu to crash over and leave Danny Tickle with a simple conversion.

After half an hour, it looked as though they might go further ahead when Jordan Turner picked up a loose ball in his own half and raced upfield. With no defenders in front of him he had a clear run to the line but Dixon showed incredible speed to not only overhaul him but strip the ball and save a certain try.

Hull continued to cough up possession and were barely able to complete a set of tackles. Just before half time more pressure by the Broncos looked to have brought them another score as Craig Gower worked his way under the posts. However, the referee ruled there had been an obstruction so the teams when in level at the interval.

There was little to choose between the sides early in the second half with Hull continuing to cough up possession at crucial times. However, a fine break down the middle by Willie Manu, carried on by Richard Whiting almost brought a try but they were given another set after the Broncos were penalised for a high tackle.

This time Whiting made no mistake, slicing through after good work from Matty Russell and Tickle's conversion made it 12-6. On their next foray upfield Tony Clubb almost grabbed a second try for the home side but the prop was held up just metre short of the line.

Going into the final quarter, Hull began to exert more pressure, Tom Briscoe was hauled down just short but the Broncos conceded a penalty in the process. They had to withstand three consecutive sets as the visitors looked for that crucial score but thanks to some heroic defence, they had to be content with a penalty from Tickle.

But just when it seemed that Hull had got the game wrapped up, the Broncos came roaring back when a wicked bounce from a Gower chip to the line was touched down by Michael Robertson.

Shane Rodney made it 14-12 with the conversion with just eight minutes remaining but Hull held out for the victory.

Although naturally disappointed to have registered another loss, head coach Powell drew positives from the performance. "I think that's the best we've defended all year, that was a massive improvement," he said. "I thought we won the arm wrestle and we looked to have more energy than them, which is a bit of a change to where we have been recently.

"I think our kicking and last play options were the difference because we put too many dead and gave them a couple of 40-metre breaks when we kicked it straight to them. But for that, I thought we were the more dominant team and looked to have a bit more energy. That's certainly something that gives us a positive going forward."