HE’S DAN IT AGAIN!
Houghton repeats his Wembley feat
DANNY HOUGHTON entered Hull folklore for his iconic ‘Tackle 52’ – but has added another classic to his highlight reel.
The hooker even had a beer named after his famous last-gasp try-saving effort on Warrington’s Ben Currie, which sealed Hull the 2016 Challenge Cup and a maiden Wembley win.
Rarely does a day go by where his lung-busting 52nd tackle of the game is not mentioned to him at some point.
But ex-Man of Steel Houghton was at it again on Thursday.
Leading 14-10 against leaders Wigan but under the pump, he produced an unlikely try-saver on one of Super League’s quickest stars, Bevan French.
The Australian speedster had picked up a loose ball just near his own line and seen space open up in front of him.
Normally that ends with a Wigan try. But, in this instance, Houghton somehow managed to grab French just as the electric full-back was threatening to reach full pace in the 68th minute.
It proved a crucial moment as last season’s top try scorer faced off against its top tackler.
Hull, who had lost seven on the bounce before beating Huddersfield, then defended for their lives in the pouring rain to cling on for rare backto-back wins.
Houghton, 34, joked: “He fell over, didn’t he?
“I’d put the kick through and then just looped around the back of it.
“Again, (like Tackle 52) it was just the right position, right time. Luckily I gave myself a little bit of time as I didn’t want French to take me on the outside.
“He definitely would have burned me. I’m glad he came infield a little and I’m just glad I managed to clip him down.”
Houghton believes the victory shows Hull have turned a corner.
They came in for fierce criticism after some humiliating displays in their wretched losing run, including a 40-0 walloping by derby rivals Hull KR. But they have now eased fears of being dragged into a relegation battle.
And Houghton added: “That win showed the character that’s come to fruition. If it wasn’t me (tackling French), I’m sure someone else would have been there mopping up.
“We showed it all the way through. We were broken three or four times and managed to scramble back and make a play.
“That character’s good. Everyone has got each other’s back.” Ex-Leeds, Hull KR and England coach Tony Smith is certainly starting to get his message through in his first season.
Houghton added: “All Tony has wanted all the way through the offseason and in the games, it just hadn’t clicked. But we’d just not done the right things at the right times.
“The nail, though, is finally hammering in – we are starting to do what we’re capable of.”