Hull FC suffered a disappointing 30-14 defeat to Huddersfield Giants on Satuday afternoon, with the squad now given planned annual leave from Sunday to Sunday ahead of their next game against Salford Red Devils on August 10. Here is the latest notebook.
Time off
Hull FC will now recharge the batteries before they regroup and go again for the final seven rounds of the Super League season. They have a week off and then a week’s training before hosting the Red Devils – a game they simply have to win.
After the Huddersfield loss, they are now one point behind Wakefield in seventh place, with the race for the play-offs set to go down to the wire. Meanwhile, Hull are expected to be boosted by the likes of John Asiata and Will Pryce, who will be looking to return to action after overcoming hamstring injuries.
“We could do (get players back),” Cartwright told Hull Live. “There’s a couple of boys pencilled in to come back. It will depend on how we get through the next couple of weeks.”
And speaking of returns
Liam Watts made his long-anticipated comeback against Huddersfield. The prop featured off the bench after missing the last four months with calf and knee issues.
“He brought some energy,” Cartwright said. “It’s hard to comment straight after the game, but he did what we asked him to do: bring that energy, and he brought the crowd to their feet. We just didn’t take advantage of it.”
Andy Last’s tribute
Andy Last paid tribute to Watts prior to the clash, with the veteran, a double Challenge Cup winner with Hull, working hard to get himself back fit and now hoping to finish the season with a bang.
“He’s lost a lot of hair, and he’s matured a lot,” Last said. “He’s a great guy, and I’ve got a lot of time for him. He was part of the scholarship way back when he was 15; he and Joe Westerman used to travel over and train, and then when it came to signing time, they went for the big dollars at Castleford.
“He’s been a great servant. We speak a fair bit, and back in 2016 and 2017, our glory years, you didn’t get a better middle than that. Scott Taylor, Danny Houghton, Liam Watts, and Gareth Ellis – they were formidable. Wattsy was a really good fit within that middle unit. He’s athletic; he could pass; he was aggressive, and he played on the edge. There were some times when he stepped over, but I think you need that as a front-rower. They were a really good middle unit.
“Wattsy is really keen to get back out there. He trained brilliantly out there this week, and he’s looking really sharp. He’s got the bit between his teeth, and he wants to contribute to a successful season. I’m really excited to see what he can do for us.”
Academy run out big winners
Hull FC academy picked up their biggest win of the season with a 52-18 triumph over Huddersfield Giants on Friday night. The side scored ten tries in total, with Elliot Middlemas, Tyler Eccles, Lloyd Kemp, and Preston Ward all scoring try braces. Elsewhere, Callum Kemp and Josh Horne also crossed over, with Joe Thompson adding five goals and C. Kemp one.
Scholars win modified games
Hull FC’s scholarship took part in three modified games against Wakefield Trinity last Wednesday evening. The games were played on a full-sized field with ten players a side, promoting ball movement and space. They were three 30-minute-period affairs, with a seven-metre defensive retreat. Only two defenders were allowed in a tackle, with the rules aiming to enhance core skills, tackle technique, and game awareness. Hull won the games 48-16, 36-8, and 48-20.