Hull FC fielded nine of their young players against Warrington.
John Cartwright has paid tribute to the people involved in Hull FC’s youth development and insists it’s the only way you can get ‘long-term success’ in professional rugby league.
The Black and Whites had 12 out of their matchday 18 against Warrington Wolves that were club-produced, with 10 hailing from the city of Hull. Furthermore, nine of those players were aged 24 or younger, with several playing under the likes of Richard Tate and Francis Cummins in the club’s scholarship and academy sides.
A glimpse of Hull’s long-term future, Cartwright fielded Logan Moy, Harvey Barron, Davy Litten, Lewis Martin, Callum Kemp, Denive Balmforth, Will Gardiner, Matty Laidlaw, and Lloyd Kemp – with three more club-produced senior players taking their places: Jordan Lane, Brad Fash, and Tom Briscoe.
And in hammering Warrington 34-2, it was some glimpse of the future, with youth, some of which has been on loan and playing dual reg in recent weeks, standing tall once again – something that delighted Cartwright post-match.
“I don’t know how many sides that would carry that many boys who have come through their own system,” Cartwright told Hull Live. “That’s credit to all the people who have worked in that area and still continue to work in that area to keep producing footballers.
“We just have to keep doing it. It’s the way you get long-term success. You don’t always get a crop coming through like we seem to have at the moment – but I’m discovering that this is a mad rugby league area and whenever kids want to play the game, you’re going to keep producing them.
“I keep harping on about it, but the more they can play at a higher level, the better they’re going to get. You can only get so much done at training – the players improve when they play against and with good opposition.
“If we can just keep bringing them along the way we are and give them opportunities when they present themselves, then in a couple of years’ time, we’re going to have some very hardened Super League players at a very young age.”
And while Hull fielded their youth regulars in Barron, Litten and Martin, it was the likes of Balmforth, Moy and co. who also stood out against Warrington, players who have been sent out on loan and on dual reg in recent times but who took their opportunity here – a key message for all aspiring players.
“I was really pleased for Denvie,” Cartwright said. “He’s gone away from home, a long way from home, and applied his trade. Catalans did the right thing by him – they kept playing him – and he did well. He was sharp out of nine here; he scored a try, and his service was good. More importantly, defensively he looked more at home.”
And on Moy, Cartwright continued: “He was good. He was busy. He did everything we asked of him. He organised that defensive line and he carried the ball.
“He’s 20 years of age. He’s physically nowhere near what he’s going to be in a couple of years’ time, and it’s not fair on Logan to place expectations on him. He’s gone back on dual reg. and played against men and he’s done well. We had some really tough footy against some really physical sides and sometimes you’ve just got to look after the well-being of your players before you throw them out there.”
Cartwright also praised Gardiner and Laidlaw for two big stints, with the players again going to Doncaster on dual reg before coming back stronger with Hull.
“They’ve been biding their time for a chance all season,” Cartwright added. “Our form has been pretty good across the board; we’ve had a couple of dips here and there, but they’ve been patient and hard-working. I’ve got nothing but praise for those boys.
“Gards and Matty have gone to Doncaster and played in tough situations. They never complain and they never whinge – they just turn up to training and get the job done. It’s really pleasing as a coach to then tap them on the shoulder and tell them they’re in this week, especially Gards.
“He played last week but other than that, he hasn’t played since the second game against Wigan (back in February). But Matty has played a lot of games this year and he just keeps getting better and better.
“Having that depth is vital. There are disappointed boys along the way when everyone is healthy but you get to stages where we are at the moment, and you need depth. We had 12 first-team players out here so that was a great sign of the depth within the club.”