John Cartwright has revealed a minor injury for Hull FC trialist Jack Rampton. The 24-year-old was left out of the reserves team against St Helens last Friday night, with the Black and Whites’ head coach suggesting his absence was more precautionary than anything.
Rampton is currently on trial at Hull this summer after catching the eye playing rugby union 7s. He marked his reserves debut with a 90-metre interception try in victory at Hull KR last month.
But he missed the Saints game, which Hull won 14-10, with a minor groin issue. However, the winger, who has played the 7s format at international level with Jamaica, should be fit to play in the reserves’ next outing against Wigan Warriors on Saturday 19.
Speaking to Hull Live this Monday afternoon, Cartwright said: “He just got a little groin strain. It’s not at the stage of the year where we thought it was worth the risk. He should be alright for the next game.”
As for the Saints clash, Hull led 14-0 early on after tries from Callum Kemp, Ben Johnson, and Joe Ward. The away side hit back in the second half, but FC, fielding plenty of academy players, held on for their fifth successive victory—much to the delight of the first-team head coach.
“A few of the academy boys played, and it’s just great to see them playing against older and more experienced opposition and more than holding their own,” Cartwright continued. “It’s another one I harp on a bit, but it’s just a shame they don’t get to be able to do it every week.
“All the boys who played the other night, they are just a pleasure to have in the squad. Whatever we ask them to do training-wise, they do it. Often, they train out of position, but they give it their all, they never complain, and they turn up and play enthusiastically every game. It’s good to see.”
Ryan Westerman was part of the reserves side. The centre, along with Joe Ward, has been on loan at Hunslet in recent weeks but lined up for Hull on Friday night.
“He just needs to be able to play every week,” Cartwright added. “He missed out at Hunslet, but he came here and got his eighty minutes out. Hopefully, we can get him another eighty minutes at Hunslet this week.”
Elsewhere, Hull trio Logan Moy, Will Gardiner, and Matty Laidlaw all featured for Doncaster in a 12-6 defeat at Toulouse Olympique over the weekend. Young back rowers Lennon Clark and Zach Jebson featured for Workington Town against North Wales Crusaders, while Will Kirby featured for Hunslet at Bradford Bulls.