Hull FC ran out 16-10 winners over Wakefield Trinity on Thursday night. Elsewhere, there were wins for the club’s academy, scholarship, and wheelchair sides, while several players featured on loan or dual reg at other clubs. Here is the latest notebook.
Recruitment ongoing
Hull FC have made a move for Brisbane Broncos half-back Jock Madden, with the club now hoping to complete a deal. Hull Live reported on Monday that a spine option is being explored, and it seems John Cartwright and co. are now going for it as they look to build the most competitive squad possible for 2026 and beyond.
If successful, Madden would be the 10th quota player for next year, with the RFL sending documentation of the overseas extension, which was passed last week. You can read the full story here.
Left edge gains
Hull FC overturned a 10-0 half-time deficit to defeat Wakefield 16-10 last week, with the winning try coming from Lewis Martin. It was the winger’s 20th of the season and was crisply set up by Davy Litten. The duo are forming a good combination as centre and winger on Hull’s left edge, with Martin believing it will only go from strength to strength as their understanding grows.
“We’re getting better as a partnership, and our combinations are getting stronger,” Martin said after the game. “We’re working together really well, and we’re working really hard at training to improve.”
As for the try, which saw the winger squeeze over despite the attentions of three Wakefield defenders, Martin added: “My timing wasn’t the best, but I backed myself, and I 100% got it down. I was up against a couple of blokes, and it was just good to get it down and good to get the win.
“We’ve played some good teams at home, and we’ve also had some bad performances, but we didn’t see it as a curse or anything like that. Hopefully, we can build some momentum now. Over the last few weeks, our performance hasn’t been great, and it has been those errors letting ourselves down. Hopefully, we can build on this and take some momentum towards the end of the year and push for those play-off spots.”
Denive Balmforth scores two tries on loan
It was a good round for Denive Balmforth, who scored two tries despite Catalans Dragons’ late defeat to Warrington. Super League’s French side pushed the Wire all the way, with Balmforth’s second score giving them the lead before Josh Thewlis’ late winner.
It was the hooker’s third game for the Dragons, capping what has been a worthwhile loan spell in Perpignan. His first try saw him dart out of the ruck before stepping his way to the line in what was a good turn of pace.
His second came after a Wire error, albeit he still had to finish it. After a high ball hit Thewlis, the ball was passed to the dummy half, who again stepped well and showed neat footwork to get over the line. Balmforth has one week remaining in his month-long loan spell.
Loan and dual reg latest
Hull FC props Matty Laidlaw and Cobie Wainhouse featured for Championship outfit Doncaster in their 38-18 victory at London Broncos over the weekend. Laidlaw made his third appearance for the club on dual reg this year, whereas Wainhouse made his first-grade debut. The Leeds-born front-rower has come through Hull’s academy and reserves ranks, with the appearance in Kent his first at senior level. Both players are out of contract at the end of the year.
Elsewhere, young forward Will Kirby made his fifth successive appearance on loan at Hunslet in the Championship, starting in the back row in what was a heavy 70-4 defeat to Featherstone Rovers. Young back rowers Lennon Clark and Zach Jebson also featured for Workington Town in League 1. They defeated the Midlands Hurricanes 29-12 at Derwent Park, with Jebson scoring two tries.
Academy run out derby winners
Hull FC academy ran out 30-22 winners over Hull KR at Craven Park over the weekend. The Black and Whites trailed by 10 points in the second half, but they rallied late on with an 18-point surge of their own to get a derby victory. Tries came from Tyler Eccles, Josh Horne, Finlay Davies, Lloyd Kemp, and Joe Thompson, with Kemp coming up trumps for his performance at full-back.
Scholars hammer St Helens
Hull FC’s scholarship side ran out impressive 40-14 winners at St Helens last Wednesday. The young Black and Whites scored seven tries, with Caleb Paleaaesina getting a well-earned brace. Elsewhere, scores came for Kingsley Sharpe, Lewis Ellis-Fontana, Ryan Wilkinson, James Tann, and Noah Gladstone.
Sharpe, as exclusively reported by Hull Live this Monday, has signed a long-term deal at Hull and is set to play for the academy next year. Paleeasina too will follow suit. You can read the full story here.
Wheelchair edge past Sheffield
Hull FC’s wheelchair side had a late try to thank for a 36-32 victory over Sheffield Eagles. The winner came from Liam Stancliffe, with the Black and Whites getting out of jail in their home Super League opener.
Reserves set for big game
Hull FC reserves take on Wigan Warriors at Robin Park on Saturday prior to the Super League clash at next door’s Brick Community Stadium. The two sides are locked on 14 points in the reserves championship with three rounds to go. Warrington are also on 14 points, while Leeds top the table on 16. The top two at the end of the season contest the reserves grand final.