Huddersfield Giants 0 Hull FC 19 (Half-time 0-6)
Huddersfield Giants began their Super League season with a demoralising home defeat to Hull FC, with their misery completed when they failed to even register a score on the day. By contrast, Hull FC got off to the perfect start in their campaign with a confidence-boosting 19-0 victory at the John Smith's Stadium, defying the bookies' lack of optimism for their chances this term.
Both sides seemed wary of the danger in their opposition's ranks during a tight first-half, which saw Hull take a slender 6-0 advantage going into the break.
Fetuli Talanoa set them on the way with an unconverted try after a quality play, before Marc Sneyd converted a penalty on his debut for the visitors.
The away side were able to build on their lead during the second period, adding two further tries through full-back Jamie Shaul in a frenetic seven-minute period, that kicker Sneyd converted to extend their dominance to 18-0. It was Sneyd's clever grubber kick that set up Shaul for his first try, but the second was mainly his own work.
As the home side continued to toil without any tangible reward for their efforts, Sneyd made a comeback completely out of the question with a clever drop goal, taking the Hull lead past three scores and clinching his new side's success.
It was an encouraging beginning for Hull at a ground they have experienced plenty of bad days of their own at in the past, given that the victory was their first at Huddersfield for a lengthy six years. For their skipper, Gareth Ellis there was double delight, as he also celebrated his 250th appearance in the Super League.
Huddersfield have been traditional fast-starters in recent Super League seasons, so were not expecting such a poor start this time, as it was their first opening day reversal since 2008.
Sneyd will have enjoyed his first competitive game for his new club, after joining them from Salford via a loan spell at Castleford Tigers last season, with a handy seven point haul and two try assists that probably tipped the balance Hull's way.
