HULL FC's Craig Hall proved he has what it takes when it comes to matters of the boot by winning the engage "King of the kickers" competition.
engage Mutual Assurance, proud title sponsor of the engage Super League, held this inaugural event at The Grattan Stadium, Odsal on the 8th August, to find the league's best kicker. The event, featured exclusively on the BBC's Super League Show on Sunday 12th August, also raised funds for the RFL's Benevolent Fund with each successful kick adding pounds to the total. Even the show's own Harry Gration took a kick to put £100 on the board!
Referee Ashley Klein monitored proceedings as renowned kickers such as Lee Briers and Jamie Rooney went head to head with younger players such as Tommy Hemmingway and Joe Ford. Other participants were John Wilshere, Craig Hall, Danny Tickle and Sam Burgess. The players worked their way through four rounds of kicks, testing their skill in a variety of different positions before entering a sudden death distance kicking final.
Throughout the rounds Bradford Bulls looked unstoppable, with Joe Ford from their Under 18's side churning out some awesome kicks to be the only player with a 100% record after the first two rounds. Joe was leading as the players entered the final, with Sam Burgess hot on his heels in second place.
The distance kicking final saw the two early leaders from Bradford make an early exit and the competition quickly progressed to 50 metre line with just Hull FC's two representatives Danny Tickle and Craig Hall fighting for the crown. After successfully completing the 55 metre kicks they both had several failed attempts at the 60 metre line before Craig Hall kicked a beautiful one to claim the crown.
Post final, all participants entered into a crossbar challenge to double the amount raised with Joe Ford hitting the bar to make the grand total donated by engage £1,500!
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