Hull FC ran out 34-0 winners in Perpignan on Saturday evening for their biggest victory of the season to date. It was an impressive performance from John Cartwright’s side, with the team unit coming to the fore once again.
As far as stars go, it was hard to look beyond Davy Litten and Will Pryce, but there was one other name getting his fair share of attention from the French locals post-match. Here our Hull FC reporter Dan Tomlinson looks over some of the big talking points and moments you’ll have missed if you were not in the south of France.
Zak Hardaker mobbed by Catalans fans
It’s customary for fans of both sides to wait outside the players’ entrance at the Stade Gilbert Brutus for the stars to come out. Ironically, the entrance is the same one used for the media, so we get a good flavour of what’s going on.
And as the Catalans and Hull FC players emerged post-match, there was one player attracting plenty of attention: Zak Hardaker. To say the local Perpignan population are fans of the 33-year-old would be an understatement – and it’s clear that respect is in high supply over the channel. Either that or they’re big advocates of his bucket hat.
In a decorated career, Hardaker has won it all and played at the highest level. He’s adorned Super League and the NRL, played for his country and is still going strong today. He provided another stellar account for Hull in the back row against Catalans, with his efforts appreciated by all. The Dragons fans mobbed him after the game, posing for pictures and signing shirts, flags, and the like.
Interestingly, and despite Catalans’ ongoing struggles, the fans were still in support of their own players and were just as eager to see them post-match. There was no booing – just a queue to get pictures and autographs. Luke Keary was of particular interest. That support was nice to see.
And also seen storming out of the ground was owner Bernard Gusach, who was not a happy man. It’s tough times for Catalans, but their owner has seen it all before, and now the challenge is to rise again.
Catalans atmosphere
There’s been a lot made of Catalans and what they bring to Super League this year – but in this reporter’s humble opinion, any talk of them not being a part of our competition should be thrown straight in the bin.
The Perpignan experience is still elite – from Le Castillet and beyond – and the region – whether wine tasting or a trip to the coast – has a lot to offer. It’s a beautiful part of the world, but focusing more on the rugby league, not forgetting that the Dragons have been a top side in recent years before their recent blip, the trip is still a go-to affair for rugby league supporters.
Catalans build up their games in boisterous fashion. They have a strong home backing, both in terms of the numbers there and the atmosphere they create. Before the game, there are good food and drink options, pyrotechnics, fireworks, the Catalonia national anthem, and more. They’re proud people, and they make the Brutus feel like a cauldron.
For the away fans, the experience is just as good, with Hull, like Wigan the week before, travelling in good numbers. Clearly, it still resonates strongly with the away fans, who pack out the end, sample the local food and drink, of which there is plenty about, and generally have a good time.
And that’s rain or shine, win or lose, and at any time of the year. Long may that continue – so long as what happens in Perpignan stays in Perpignan.
Leon Pryce in the crowd
Speaking of Hull’s away crowd, there was one notable figure in the mix with his family: Leon Pryce. The former Hull half-back is currently watching son Will Pryce star in the first team, with Pryce putting on a dazzling display with two tries. Both showed his electric pace and footwork – with the player finding his feet in the Hull team.
His dad – also a former player at Catalans – was understandably loving the action and, by all reliable accounts informing the Hull Live team, was joining in with the Old Faithful renditions as passionately as anyone in the away end. Once a Black and White and all that.
PSG street carnage
Sticking with the singing theme, it was hard not to pay attention to the masses of PSG fans around Perpignan’s bars on Saturday night – with the Paris football club beating Inter Milan 5-0 in the Champions League final. Pyrotechnics, fireworks, and the like were doing the rounds on the streets, which were flooded with chanting fans.
There was also riot police out to control the masses, although no trouble was thankfully around, with any lingering disappointment from Catalans’ defeat sounding out by Les Rouge-et-Bleu’s triumph. It was sheer carnage, especially when considering it’s over 500 miles from Paris to Perpignan.
Davy Litten makes statement
One of the big skills of any rugby league player is to put themselves in the picture – and make no mistake about it, Davy Litten did exactly that for Hull in Catalans.
Whether competing for high balls on Hull’s kicks, completing his tackles, supporting breaks, or making them himself, he kept on popping up and making things happen.
The energy and enthusiasm he brought to the table was genuinely infectious – as was his energy in the post-match press conference. He’s fun to be around, calling himself and teammate Will Pryce ‘mad as a box of frogs’, and as a player is growing by the week.
It’s been some return for Litten, who has shaken off a lengthy MCL rehab to take his place in the side, and if he keeps going the way he is, then the sky is the limit.
Also, if there was a stat for metres made on distance to reach celebrations, he’d win it by a mile, still having the energy to sprint over to fans to join the celebrations after his Man of the Match interview. Litten was literally everywhere, no matter what the occasion.