Hull FC are back up and running in Super League, ending their four-game losing run with a fully deserved 26-12 victory at Leigh Leopards.
The Black and Whites were good value for it and did the damage in the first half. However, it may have come at a cost, with the club to assess injuries to Cade Cust and John Asiata in the coming days.
Cust went down in the first half, while Asiata pulled up in the second. But while there’s a nervous wait to determine the severity of both blows, it doesn’t take the satisfaction away from a big two points in the context of Hull’s season.
There was a feeling they had to win on Thursday night – and they did just that. They started superbly. They were fully composed, they completed at a high rate, and they were disciplined, but they also shone with the ball.
Some of the attack was on point, with Asiata’s link with Aidan Sezer, celebrating his 250th career appearance, immense. Hull’s captain led throughout in an influential display, involved in the tries and big in defence.
At full-back, Will Pryce also stepped up in defence, while Liam Knight played a huge part in the win, running out for well over an hour in the middle of the field – staying strong in the tackle and full of grit and determination.
That sort of effort and desperation showed throughout when it had to, but it was the attack that earned its plaudits. It was balanced, dangerous, and most importantly, clinical. Hull took their chances – with the way they pulled away from Leigh most impressive.
Understandably, fatigue told in the second half as the Leythers threw everything at Hull, but for the majority, they stood tall, earning their sixth league win of the season, and for now at least, are back inside the top six positions.
John Cartwright made two changes to his side for the clash, with Denive Balmforth spelling Amir Bourouh on the bench. Young prop Matty Laidlaw also came in for Brad Fash.
After an even opening exchange, it didn’t take Hull long to click into gear – albeit they were given fortunatous territory after Bourouh caught a loose Robbie Mulhern offload.
But unlike last week, they took the invitation, scoring through Cust, who took the line on, evaded tackles, and slid over to give the away side the lead.
With a spring in their step, Sezer then earned a 40/20 after a long booming kick downfield. Three plays later, Boruouh hit Ese’ese on the crash ball, and the prop forward, as is customary this year, stormed over.
Cust was then hurt in the tackle, and tried to carry on. However, he succumbed to his injury and was forced off the field.
But in true testament to Hull’s professionalism and attitude this year, they kept cracking on. They didn’t let a reshuffle faze them, with Zak Hardaker – the ultimate competitor – stepping up into the halves.
A penalty goal then extended Hull’s lead to 14-0, but they weren’t done. They completed strong throughout, only failing to complete two sets in the entire first half. It paid off.
Pryce, a threat all game, cut into the line well, carving the Leigh defence up to send Lewis Martin over in the corner. Hull then kicked another penalty goal – and while this one was dubious, with Sezer slipping into contact – the side was now truly in the ascendency, and they had more points in them.
To no surprise, it came off the lethal Asiata-Sezer link, with Sezer straightening up after Asiata’s pass, finding a gap, and passing to Sam Eseh to score. That put Hull 26-0 up at the break – and it was nothing less than they deserved.
As expected, Leigh came out firing in the second half, but a mixture of loose attack and strong Hull defence originally kept them at bay. But the away side were dealt a costly blow as Asiata left the field after pulling up, but they kept going.
They repelled their line and kept running hard in attack. But eventually, fatigue, given two injuries, told.
First, Edwin Ipape scampered over after a quick play of the ball, and after Lachlan Lam kicked a slick 40/20, Leigh were on the attack again – striking again. Lam hit Owen Trout on a strong line, and the forward stormed over to bring Leigh back within three scores.
But that was as good as it got. Hull continued to hang on, with some of their defence both assertive and desperate but getting the job done, much to the delight of the travelling Hull contingent, who celebrated their eighth triumph on the road this year. Job done, and on to Catalans next week.
Teams
Hull Starting XIII: 6. Will Pryce; 22. Lewis Martin, 20. Davy Litten, 5. Tom Briscoe, 2. Harvey Barron; 14. Cade Cust, 7. Aidan Sezer; 8. Herman Ese’ese, 9. Amir Bourouh, 40. Liam Knight; 3. Zak Hardaker, 4. Ed Chamberlain; 13. John Asiata
Interchange: 17. Jack Ashworth, 25. Denive Balmforth, 27. Matty Laidlaw, 39. Sam Eseh 18th Man: 16. Yusuf Aydin
Leigh Starting XIII: 24. Bailey Hodgson; 2. Darnell McIntosh, 3. Tesi Niu, 4. Umyla Hanley, 18. Keenan Brand; 22. Ben McNamara, 7. Lachlan Lam; 32. Joe Ofahegaue, 9. Edwin Ipape, 10. Robbie Mulhern; 8. Owen Trout, 20. Ethan O’Neil; 13. Isaac Lui.
Interchange: 12. Jack Hughes, 15. Alec Tuitavake, 16. Matt Davis, 5. Josh Charnley. 18th Man: 17. Brad Dwyer
Scorers
Leigh Tries: Ipape, Trout. Goals: McNamara 2/2
Hull Tries: Cust, Ese’ese, Martin, Eseh. Goals: Sezer 5/6
Scoring System: 0-6, 0-12, 0-14, 0-18, 0-20, 0-26, HT, 6-26, 12-26,
Referee: Tom Grant. Video Ref: Jack Smith
Attendance: 8,046