Andy Last on Hull FC’s defeat to Leigh, the two debuts, an improved account, HIA bangs, and M62 accident.
Hull FC interim head coach Andy Last.
‘Immensely proud’ The words of Andy Last following Hull FC’s brave defeat at Leigh Leopards on Friday night.
The Black and Whites went down 42-6 to the Leythers in what was another Super League loss, albeit one with a different manner to it after a depleted and decimated side showed plenty of grit, tenacity, and courageous against an opponent stepping into their groove once again.
Fielding several young players, Last opted to debut Hull academy products Ben Johnson and Lennon Clark, with Will Hutchinson and Will Kirby also coming into the side along with the Kemp twins, Callum and Lloyd.
And they stood up early on, getting an even keel of field position and posing a threat in what was a competitive contest at 12-6 going into the break.
“Mixed emotions,” Last said post-match when asked to sum up the game. “I’m immensely proud to be able to give a couple of young lads their debuts. The first forty minutes we stayed in the fight. It was tenacious. And then unfortunately in the second half, it went away from us.
“Leigh are a very good side and they fixed up a couple of things; their ball control, their energy, and they really suffocated us with field position. There were just a couple of moments that didn’t go our way.
“We had an opportunity in that second half with Jake Arthur after a good bit of rugby from Harvey Barron, and we didn’t quite pick the right option there. We then made an error and compounded that error with a penalty.
“We gifted them field possession and then they scored and they didn’t have to earn that position after that. That was disappointing but I’m immensely proud of the lads. I know they are disappointed in there, but they’ve gave a good account of themselves.
“They are very confident young men and they played very well tonight. I thought young Lloyd Kemp in the centre gave a good account of himself, and Ben Johnson up against a real strike centre in Umlya Hanley, he would have learned a great deal from that and his quality.
“Then young Kirby, Hutchinson, and Lennon Clark, they got great experience and did decent jobs. I’m hoping it makes them see what the level is. I just spoke to Lenny after the game and he just said I couldn’t believe how fast it was and how strong they were. I’m hoping that’s really going to make them go away, assess where they are at, and then attack their training with the vigour they need to, and improve physically.”
Last also spoke of some adversity on the way to the game, with the squad taking a four and a half trip across the M62 after an unfortunate accident on the motorway. Then they suffered three HIAs during the game to Kirby, Hutchinson, and Arthur – albeit all assessments were passed.
“We had some adversity on the way in,” Last said. “We normally travel a bit earlier, get to a hotel, have a pre-match meal, have a meeting, and then an hour to have a bit of stretch, but unfortunately there was an accident on the M62, and we had to go to the services.
“They got themselves something to eat and it was like an old Under-11s school trip at one point. The lads managed that adversity. We got here at 6:20 and we went out and attacked the game.
“It’s been a challenging day and there were some challenges in the game. We ended up with three HIAs in the game with Will Hutchinson, Will Kirby, and Jake Arthur. They were all in the first half. Unfortunately, we just didn’t have the legs in the second half to proper take the fight to Leigh.
“For us, there are some lessons to take. We’ll have a period of rest now and then we’ll look to attack Warrington in a couple of weeks time.”