Performance blueprint, fix ups, and a new matchwinner – the latest Hull FC notebook.
Cade Cust has spelled the Hull FC hooker role in recent weeks.
Hull FC know they must sustain longer periods of performance to turn frustrating defeats into wins, with Andy Last and Ethan O’Neill airing some big fix ups. Elsewhere, there was some success for the club’s junior sides, with a new matchwinner stepping up. Here is the latest notebook.
Play direct
Hull FC know their blueprint for derby success over Hull KR on Thursday night, but there’s one word that probably comes above all else: consistency. The Black and Whites have played in periods in recent weeks but ultimately, it’s sustaining those passages of play for longer and remaining disciplined in what works during those periods that is key.
Outlining what worked in those spells, interim coach Andy Last, who wants to see physicality, intent, discipline, and the like from the off, said: “We played far more direct. We didn’t play too east to west. We got some strong go-forward, and we managed to get the ruck tempo quick, and we managed to find a couple of spots in the middle of the field that allowed us to get that tempo up.
“Unfortunately, there are too many times where we just don’t quite piece it together and stick to that plan, and that’s where you go back to the discipline. If something’s working for you, don’t go away from it; stick to it and be a little bit more disciplined in sticking to it. We need to piece together longer periods of good rugby.”
O’Neill lays out key improvement
For Hull FC back row forward Ethan O’Neill, it’s completion rates that remain key for Hull, who, despite 11 defeats from their last 13 games, have remained competitive and had the chances to win the large majority of those games. In fact, the recent recruit has suggested the side would have been in contention for finals if they had just iced key moments in tight defeats.
“Just completion rates,” O’Neill said when asked what Hull’s key fix-ups are. “I feel like we get too frantic at times, just trying to overdo things, especially in the tight games we’ve lost.
“We’ve been in the game but we just can’t ice the little moments, the concentration moments. I feel like once we do that and we stick to what we know best and our style of football, the world’s our oyster, and if we take those points and those wins there, we’re in contention for the finals.
“We’re almost there; we just need to ice the little moments and the concentration areas. I feel like that’s where we need to improve best.”
Reserves find new matchwinner
On a lighter note, there was some joy for Hull FC’s reserves side on Sunday afternoon, with Danny Houghton’s side rallying for a 21-20 victory over Warrington Wolves at the University of Hull.
The game was decided by 16-year-old half-back Owen Bartle, who has stepped up to reserves this summer despite being in just his first year of academy rugby. But the young pivot – a former West Hull junior – hasn’t looked out of place at this level, landing the decisive drop goal to take the game.
Before that, tries came for Ben Johnson, Rio Kassim, Henry Watkinson, and Alistair Swyer, with Bartle also kicking two conversions. The reserves have now won seven of their 13 games this year and next face competition leaders Wigan on Saturday afternoon (12pm kick-off).
Scholarship end season with win
Hull FC’s scholarship side ended the 2026 season with a 40-4 victory over Wakefield Trinity last Wednesday evening. The young Black and Whites led 24-4 at half-time, with Jack Stewart scoring a hat-trick of tries. Elsewhere, Kadus Boateng scored a brace, while Alfie Lewis, Isaac Last, and Alfie Oglesby crossed over. Lewis also kicked four goals.
Wheelchair taste success
Hull FC’s wheelchair side also tasted success over the weekend with a 54-43 victory over Bradford Bulls. The Black and Whites led 32-22 at half-time and rallied again in the second half to earn their third win of the season with half the regular season campaign still to play.