Francis Cummins praised the team performance of Hull FC reserves after their derby victory over Hull KR on Saturday afternoon. The Black and Whites defeated the Robins 28-12 in sunny but windy conditions at Hilltop, with Jack Charles standing out with a fine display.
The teenage half-back, who is fully fit again after two lengthy pre-season injuries, produced a classy account. He scored one of Hull’s five tries, assisted two more, and probed all game playing alongside halves partner Callum Kemp. That partnership, not to mention a stern contribution from Logan Moy at full-back as well as several strong forward displays, including from Cobie Wainhouse and the like, ensured Hull came out on top.
Elsewhere, Hull fielded a trial player in Jamaican rugby union 7s speedster Jack Rampton. The winger made a try-scoring debut, intercepting a Rovers pass to race 90 or so metres to score. On the other wing, Joe Ward also scored a try-brace but, more importantly, ran strong all game, with Zach Jebson also crossing over to complete the win.
Speaking to Hull Live post-match, Cummins said: “It was a good performance. Hull KR never went away, did they? We maybe made it a bit hard for ourselves at times as well, but credit to the lads – I thought defensively, they worked really hard in tough conditions. It was a brilliant day with a great atmosphere, but the conditions were very windy, and Danny Richardson got us on a few kicks, but otherwise, I’m really happy. I think we really showed what we’re about.
“We are quite a young side – there are some academy boys in there, and they were really stiff and strong. We’ve got a few older lads who are out on loan, and those lads grabbed hold of their chance. We also had a trialist on the wing. He doesn’t quite know our systems yet and is still learning the game, but apart from that, I thought we did really well.”
On Charles, Cummins continued: “Jack is the sort of person who will concentrate on an error or something else, but he really showed his class at times. He wasn’t on his own; I thought we had a few others who are really starting to make a bit of a reputation for themselves and push the first team. A good few of the lads did that today, so that’s really pleasing.”
As for the game, Rovers had the early pressure, but they couldn’t make it count. Instead, it was the Black and Whites who took the lead, with Rampton racing away after intercepting a wayward pass to score the first try.
It was a physical derby clash, as is always the case, no matter what the level, with both sides looking to get on top physically. That saw some big hits and scuffles on show – one of which put the Robins down to 12 men after former Hull forward Kye Armstrong was sin-binned.
Meanwhile, Hull kept their composure and eventually got their reward. Charles – who held a great temperament all game – found Ward with a delicious cut-out pass, with the winger getting a walk-in out wide. It was good shape from Hull, with Moy and C. Kemp crisply linking to find the half, who assisted well.
That gave Hull a 10-0 lead at half-time, and they soon extended their advantage, with Charles bursting through a gap in the Rovers line and using good footwork to beat the full-back and score. The half-back then turned provider again, neatly assisting Ward to complete his double.
But it was Rovers who then hit a purple patch. They got the ball back from the kick-off and soon scampered over through Luke Foreman, with winger Jack Krebs adding another out wide soon after. But normal service resumed as Zach Jebson, who ran strong all game, burst through the line to score.
Teams
Hull Starting XIII: Logan Moy; Jack Rampton, Lloyd Kemp, Ben Johnson, Joe Ward; Callum Kemp, Jack Charles; Cobie Wainhouse, Will Hutchinson, Will Wilson; Lennon Clark, Zach Jebson; Jordon Baker
Interchange: Callum Smith, Alister Swyer, Owen Haldenby, Jon Turner.
Rovers Starting XIII: Harvey Horne; Jack Krebs, Ryan Moses, Louix Gorman, Henry Hope; Danny Richardson, Lennie Ellis; Leo Tennison, Jacob Parkinson, Zack Fishwick; Frankie Dearlove, Leon Ruan; Kye Armstrong
Interchange: Luke Foreman, George Lauer, Hayden Todd, Alfie Wainberg-Woods.
Scorers
Hull Tries: Rampton, Ward 2, Charles, Jebson. Goals: Charles 4/5
Rovers Tries: Foreman, Krebs. Goals: Richardson 2/2