Hull FC played their part in a solid pre-season game at Wigan.
Ligi Sao in action for Hull FC.
Hull FC were edged out 22-18 at Wigan Warriors in their second and final pre-season outing, but in terms of positives, John Cartwright’s side can head back across the Pennines with plenty to think about after Liam Marshall’s testimonial match.
Lewis Martin took the headlines with another hat-trick at the Brick Community Stadium, scoring his second and third tries at the same end as his stunning efforts in the Challenge Cup last year. The winger also impressed in the back field and under the high ball in a performance that suggested his rapid rise will show no signs of slowing down this term.
Elsewhere, Hull gave first runouts for new signings Jake Arthur and Joe Batchelor, with both players showing some signs in a performance that was encouraging to say the least.
Hull started the game strong and defended well, both through the middle and on the edge. Wigan certainly had more favourable attacking opportunity, but the Black and Whites stood up in numbers. They scrambled to effect and worked hard – qualities that should please Cartwright and co.
Facing his former club for the first time, Harvie Hill got through a strong 32 or so minute stint. He ran well and got through plenty of work. Similarly, Ligi Sao was really busy and stern in his carries in what his first game of rugby league in nearly a full calendar year. The prop has overcome a serious knee injury to take his place again and looked good value for it in two stints on the field. Elsewhere, Yusuf Aydin proved his worth, while Batchelor in particular was strong in defence on the right edge.
As for the game, it was an evenly matched opening twenty minutes, with chances few and far between. However, it was, perhaps sentimentally fitting, that the first score went to testimonial man Marshall, who took Jai Field’s cut out pass to score in the corner.
It didn’t take long for Hull to hit back, with Jake Arthur and Callum Kemp combining to put Will Pryce into space. The full-back then found Lewis Martin with an explosive pass, who burned the Wigan defence to score out wide.
That was that for the first half, with more assertive defence from Pryce keeping Liam Farrell at bay, and ensuring the score stayed at 6-6 going into half-time.
The second half saw Hull make several changes, with only three of their starting side still on. On the contrary, Wigan still ran strong and it was the home side who then took the lead again, scoring through Junior Nsemba after a Field break. Field then scored Wigan’s third try, showing a clean pair of heels to beat the Hull defence.
Mixing it up, Hull, who kept the ball alive through Hill and Cade Cust, hit back through Martin, who was on the end of a booming Callum Kemp pass to score in the corner.
Jack Farrimond soon restored Wigan’s two score lead. A high kick from French caused Hull problems, with the ball going to ground, and the half-back picking it up to score.
Hull finished with a flourish. Martin got his hat-trick try after a pass from Arthur Romano, and then after a break from young winger Elliot Middlemas, they shifted the ball to the left edge to score through Litten, who finished the game at full-back and a few darting ones throughout.
That was the last action of the game, with Hull returning over the hills to take on Salford RLFC in the Challenge Cup on Friday night, and kickstart another competitive season. Bring it on.
Teams
Wigan Starting XIII: 1. Jai Field; 2. Zach Eckersley, 3. Adam Keighran, 4. Jake Wardle, 5. Liam Marshall; 6. Bevan French, 19. Jack Farrimond; 10. Luke Thompson, 22. Tom Forber, 14. Sam Walters; 11. Junior Nsemba, 12. Liam Farrell; 13. Kaide Ellis
Interchange: 8. Ethan Havard, 15. Patrick Mago, 17. Oliver Partington, 23. Kian McDermott, 25. Taylor Kerr, 26. Nathan Lowe, 27. Lukas Mason, 28. Noah Hodkinson, 29. Tiaki Chan, 31. Jonny Vaughan, 32. Dayon Sambou, 33. George O’Loughlin, George Marsden.
Hull Starting XIII: 1. Will Pryce; 5. Lewis Martin, 3. Davy Litten, 4. Zak Hardaker, 2. Harvey Barron; 27. Callum Kemp, 6. Jake Arthur; 10. Harvie Hill, 9. Amir Bourouh, 18. Ligi Sao; 12. Jed Cartwright, 11. Joe Batchelor; 20. Yusuf Aydin.
Interchange: 14. Cade Cust, 16. Sam Lisone, 19. Tom Briscoe, 21. Arthur Romano, 22. Connor Bailey, 23. Brad Fash, 26. Hugo Salabio, 29. Will Hutchinson, 30. Will Kirby, 32. Lloyd Kemp, 37. Elliot Middlemas
Scorers
Wigan Tries: Marshall, Nsemba, Field, Farrimond. Goals: Keighran 2/3, Farrimond 1/1
Hull Tries: Martin 3, Litten. Goals: Pryce 1/1, C.Kemp 0/1, L.Kemp 0/2
Referee: Liam Moore
Attendance: 4,511