Now then. The business end of the Super League season continues this Saturday afternoon with Hull FC knowing the stakes and in control of their own destiny. A victory over Huddersfield Giants will see them end Round 19 – played over two weekends – in sixth position, with the race for the play-offs heating up.
Targeting a third successive win, the Black and Whites come into the clash on the back of a superb 32-12 victory at Wigan Warriors last weekend, and with the monkey off their back after a home win over Wakefield Trinity earlier this month, they should be confident. But confidence should not turn into arrogance. Hull start a game as favourites, a rare thing itself, but nothing less than a professional and disciplined performance on both sides of the ball will do.
John Cartwright has been banging that drum all season, and Hull know their fate should they drop their standards. And against a side in the bottom four, that serves as a warning, not that they need it with Huddersfield getting one over them at the Magic Weekend. They know what’s needed, and the challenge now is to go and do it. As always, we’ll be there every step of the way with all the build-up, team news, live action, and post-match reaction. Stay tuned.