Hull FC’s resurgence under John Cartwright this year continued with a thoroughly satisfying 34-0 victory in Perpignan – their second inside four months and one that keeps their 2025 play-off push very much on track.
Back inside the top six positions, Hull leave the south of France with a ninth scalp on the road this season, with renewed confidence and hunger after a firm reset period.
They knew their display at the Magic Weekend wasn’t good enough, but they fronted up after it, addressed their shortcomings, and did something about it. The results since speak for themselves.
Hull got the performance but not the two points at Headingley, with Leeds rallying to a late win, but they made no mistake at Leigh – with a pulsating first half getting the job done. And in Perpignan, it was the same again, with the result built on two key pillars: completion and discipline.
As they have for three weeks now, Hull’s focus was getting back to early-season standards, getting smart with the ball and fronting up, all within the rule book, in defence. They’ve done exactly that. They were controlled; they remained calm, and they stuck to their process.
They gave themselves a foundation to play off, producing some slick moments of attack after defence that showed their tenacity. Effort-based, with no shortcomings, and clearly enjoying the time they spent together, Hull were deserved winners, confining more misery on Catalans, who parted ways with Steve McNamara two weeks ago and look a shadow of their former self.
With injuries forcing his hand, Cartwright made two changes to his side. Jordan Rapana came in at half-back for Cade Cust, who has a hip problem, while Yusuf Aydin returned in place of John Asiata, who has a hamstring tear.
Catalans were also dealt a pre-match blow, with Elliot Whitehead pulling out late. And it didn’t take the Black and Whites long to get into their groove. It was at times flashy, but most importantly, they got the job done, keeping a high completion rate and remaining resilient in defence before producing some scintillating plays and tries in attack.
Catalans certainly helped their cause. They were sloppy and made plenty of errors. Hull didn’t need many second invitations. They opened the scoring through their prolific try-scoring prop, Herman Ese’ese, who took Amir Bourouh’s pass to burst over the line. And when Davy Litten picked up a loose Catalans pass, it was Lewis Martin who was in support to race away for his 16th try of the season.
Litten was superb throughout – adding an infectious amount of energy to the Hull side. He was a threat with the ball, carried strong, and defended well in another encouraging performance.
That performance was collective and very much about the team. But after weathering the storm a little bit, it was Catalans who switched off just before half time and allowed Hull to extend their lead. Not that takes any credit away from Will Pryce, who on a kick return, attacked the line, crabbed across, found a gap, stepped through and raced away. The full-back then stepped his way back inside to score a sensational try.
That put Hull 16-0 to the good, and it was Cartwright’s troops who extended that lead in the second half with Litten getting a well-deserved try. The centre showed more desire to get to Sezer’s kick, grounding the ball and cementing his purple patch of form since coming back into the team.
And from there on in, Hull knew the game was done. But they didn’t let off. Pryce scored his second, running the length of the field to score a sensational fifth, and when Tom Briscoe dived over for his 98th Hull try, supporting a Zak Hardaker break, it was the icing on the cake.
Topping the 30-point mark in Super League for the first time since beating Wakefield in August 2023, Hull were good value. They also took pride in defending their line, ensuring Catalans were kept at bay – with the French side recording their third consecutive duck.
Desperate times in Perpignan, but for the East Yorkshire side, another sign that they are truly a side, and a club, on the way up.
Teams
Catalans Starting XIII: 4. Reimis Smith; 2. Tommy Makinson, 23. Matthieu Laguerre, 5. Nick Cotric, 22. Fouad Yaha; 6. Luke Keary, 21. Theo Fages; 15. Chris Satae, 14. Alrix Da Costa, 16. Romain Navarrete; 9. Benjamin Garcia, 3. Arthur Romano; 13. Oliver Partington
Interchange: 18: Cesar Rouge, 19. Paul Seguier, 20. Jordan Dezaria, 24. Franck Maria. 18th Man: 28. Clement Martin
Hull Starting XIII: 6. Will Pryce; 2. Harvey Barron, 5. Tom Briscoe, 20. Davy Litten, 22. Lewis Martin; 1. Jordan Rapana, 7. Aidan Sezer; 8. Herman Ese’ese, 9. Amir Bourouh, 40. Liam Knight; 3. Zak Hardaker, 4. Ed Chamberlain; 16. Yusuf Aydin
Interchange: 17. Jack Ashworth, 25. Denive Balmforth, 27. Matty Laidlaw, 39. Sam Eseh. 18th Man: 19. Brad Fash
Scorers
Catalans Tries: N/A. Goals: N/A
Hull Tries: Ese’ese, Martin, Pryce 2, Litten, Briscoe. Goals: Sezer 5/6
Scoring System: 0-6, 0-10, 0-16, HT, 0-22, 0-28, 0-34,
Referee: Liam Moore. Video Referee: James Vella
Attendance: TBC