Hull FC have handled the Challenge Cup break the same way they did last time – and are hoping for the same rewards.

The Black and Whites went hard at training after the Magic Weekend defeat to Huddersfield Giants. They used the week off from the weekly Super League grind as a reset of sorts, reassessing and regrouping before three much improved performances against Leeds, Leigh, and Catalans.

And with two wins from three putting them in a reasonable position ahead of the second half of the season, the focus for John Cartwright now is ensuring that standards don’t slip again.

That has seen the head coach stick to the same process ahead of next week’s game at Castleford Tigers, with Hull knowing another disciplined account will put them in good stead ahead of what will be their first home game in over 60 days.

Speaking to Hull Live, Cartwright said: “It’s been the same for us as a couple of weeks ago – we were really happy with how that worked out ahead of the Leeds game. We’ve handled this week with pretty much the same approach.

“We just need to keep chasing victories – we always look to prepare well and train hard, and with players coming back from injury, the team is going well. There’s competition for places, and that drives pretty much everyone – everyone wants to play in the Super League at the end of the week. It’s all about preparing well and just driving ourselves to be consistent.”

Currently sat in fifth spot, Hull know another win will aid their play-off push, but with 14 rounds to go, Cartwright isn’t interested in table position. Instead, it’s about performances week to week and what lies directly in front of his side. Right now, that’s Castleford and nothing else.

He continued: “I honestly don’t look at the table, mate. Results look after the table. You just get way ahead of yourself when you start worrying about the table when you’re only halfway through the competition, but we’re playing well, and we’ve strung a few wins together.

“We’ve still got a long way to go, though; it’s Cas next, and we’ve started preparation for them. We’ll turn up for that and hopefully put in a really good and consistent performance and, again, keep striving to be better.”

Hull defeated Castleford at Wheldon Road back in March, but Cartwright is expecting a different challenge this time out.

“Cas are a dangerous team,” the head coach added. “They’ve added Tom Amone since we last played them. He’s going to make any side stronger.

“They’ve had a couple of wins recently, and they seem to be starting to gel as a team. But again, we’ll worry about us. Every team is dangerous if you don’t turn up with the right frame of mind and the right attitude. We need to get both of those things right.”

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