Hull FC’s Super League season is very much alive. In fact, on that evidence, they’re right in the mix, with a thumping 32-12 victory at Wigan Warriors seeing them hold their play-off place and send a firm warning to the rest of the competition with eight rounds to go.
John Cartwright’s side were outstanding. They were fully deserved winners, hammering Wigan on their own patch with a disciplined and composed performance paving the way for a sensational victory.
And when you consider what Hull had out – John Asiata, Will Pryce, etc., etc. – it’s all the more impressive, with a good half a dozen players missing on what goes down as another emphatic away day and further proof of the Black and Whites’ resurgence under their head coach this year.
Together, resilient, and gritty, this side’s effort and commitment have been unquestioned, but they also showed their polish with the ball, hitting Wigan where it hurt to post five tries and six goals. They defended well, completed high, and got their reward. They were absolutely immense, doing the damage in the first half, taking a 20-0 lead into the break.
Hull repelled early Wigan pressure to keep their line intact, and once they built their way into the game, they struck. They were led superbly by Aidan Sezer, who continued a superb first season in black and white with another majestic performance. The veteran half ran the show, kicking Hull around the field and coming on to the ball at pace, causing havoc in the Wigan defence.
Elsewhere, Herman Ese’ese and, in particular, Liam Knight were massive in the middle, charging upfield and ensuring Hull’s grip on the contest got stronger and stronger. Eventually, that grip was telling, both in general play and on the scoreboard, with Hull getting rhythm into their play and keeping their error count ridiculously low.
It was Jed Cartwright who got the ball rolling, with the back rower, in just his third game back from injury, picking up a loose ball after a Christian Wade knock-on to score. It was the least Hull deserved, with Harvey Barron clearly taken out by Jake Wardle before the back rower pounced.
And it was Cartwright who was soon at the double, running off Sezer, who attacked the line at pace, bursting through, and finding the forward to score his second. That was the least Hull deserved, who scored again through Sezer close to the line.
The half-back deceived all, running to the blindside and hitting Cade Cust’s pass hard on the last tackle to go over under the sticks. Jack Charles converted, and after Ese’ese went within a whisker after another Hull break, the young half added a penalty goal to give Hull an incredible 20-0 half-time lead.
The Black and Whites had chances to extend the lead in the second half, building the pressure with two dropouts forced. However, they couldn’t land the decisive blow, with Wigan showing some spirit and holding firm.
And with the hour mark approaching, the home side got their reward, with Wade breaking down the left edge and having too much speed to beat the Hull cover defence and score.
But that was as good as it got, and Hull survived countless attacks to maintain their healthy lead. And after Harvey Barron saw one try denied by the video referee, with Wigan scrambling to hold the winger up, Jordan Rapana made no mistake, pouncing on a loose ball after another Wade error.
However, Hull made their own luck, with Jack Ashworth chasing hard off Charles’ kick and putting the Wigan winger under pressure. That gave Hull the comfort blanket they needed, and going into the final ten minutes, they held their initial half-time advantage.
Wigan pulled another try back with seven to go, but it was Hull who got the final say, with Ashworth chasing hard after a Hardaker kick and getting the ball down to round off another big statement on the road, and with that, two more big competition points. What a win.
Teams
Wigan Starting XIII: 1. Jai Field; 5. Liam Marshall, 22. Zach Eckersley, 4. Jake Wardle, 38. Christian Wade; 3. Adam Keighran, 7. Harry Smith; 8. Ethan Havard, 9. Brad O’Neil, 19. Tyler Dupree; 11. Junior Nsemba, 12. Liam Farrell: 13. Kaide Ellis
Interchange: 15. Patrick Mago, 16. Liam Byrne; 17. Kruise Leeming, 20. Harvie Hill. 18th Man: 26. Jacob Douglas
Hull Starting XIII: 3. Zak Hardaker; 2. Harvey Barron, 1. Jordan Rapana; 20. Davy Litten, 22. Lewis Martin; 24. Jack Charles, 7. Aidan Sezer; 8. Herman Ese’ese, 14. Cade Cust, 40. Liam Knight; 11. Jed Cartwright, 19. Brad Fash; 16. Yusuf Aydin.
Interchange: 5. Tom Briscoe, 17. Jack Ashworth, 27. Matty Laidlaw, 33. Will Hutchinson. 18th Man: 42. Cobie Wainhouse
Scorers
Wigan Tries: Wade, Havard. Goals: Smith 2/2
Hull Tries: Cartwright 2, Sezer, Rapana, Ashworth. Goals: Charles 6/6
Scoring System: 0-6, 0-12, 0-18, 0-20, HT, 6-20, 6-26, 12-26, 12-32, FT
Referee: Liam Moore. Video Referee: Aaron Moore
Attendance: 14,427