Three straight defeats for Hull FC.
Zak Hardaker of Hull FC
Hull FC’s miserable start to the Super League season continued with a 14-10 defeat at Wakefield Trinity on Thursday night. The Black and Whites were deservedly beaten once again, with Wakefield dominating the second half territory to earn a pressure-relieving victory.
For Hull, it’s now three straight league defeats, with the side second best once again and lacking the penetration to get a true foothold in the game. They led a tight contest early on but gifted Wakefield a crucial try just before half-time, with the home side taking control of a nervy contest in the second half and landing their decisive blow through Oliver Pratt.
The Black and Whites started John Asiata and played their best spell with their most important player on the field. His first 30-minute stint was as good as anything they’ve produced all season, with the vice-captain shaping the side up to effect with his crisp passing link with skipper Aidan Sezer paving the way for two Lewis Martin first-half tries. It should have been enough for Hull to take a lead into the second half but once again mistakes proved to be FC’s undoing.
Elsewhere, Hull also handed a debut to James Bell, with the loose forward fit enough to play for the first time after a pre-season knee injury. The Kiwi was joined by Ligi Sao, back from suspension, and Tom Briscoe, in for his first league appearance of the season.
Hull – who were dealt another crushing blow pre-match with news that Jed Cartwright will be out for around four months with a serious hamstring tear – weathered the storm early on. They won a captain’s challenge after Brad Fash was ruled to have knocked on in the very first set, but replays showed a ball steal earning Hull the penalty. And once the visitors got into position, they soon clicked with the Asiata-Sezer link, putting Arthur Romano into space and in turn finding Martin to finish in the corner.
But Wakefield soon hit back. They forced a repeat set with Jack Sinfield’s pass putting Will Tate into space to score. The lead then changed hands again after some handbags between Mike McMeeken and Fash – with Martin over again via the Asiata-Sezer link – not to mention quick hands from Romano, whose bright start in Hull colours continued.
That should have been enough for Hull to take a six-point lead into the break, but instead Wakefield levelled the scores just before the hooter. A high kick was allowed to bounce, and Pratt took the gift to plonk the ball down and put the sides on an even keel once again – a crucial play in the game.
Both sides were desperate for a victory after going one win from three to start the season, and those nerves were on show as the game wore on. It was Wakefield who had the chances in the second half. Sinfield had a try ruled out for obstruction and then missed a penalty goal attempt, but the home side kept asking the question and eventually got their reward, with Pratt finding space out wide to put Trin ahead for the first time.
Wakefield held onto that lead into the final quarter, with Hull – who had to defend tough to stay in the game – throwing Asiata back on. But they were starved of good ball opportunities, with Daryl Powell’s side showing plenty of grit to restrain them to their own half.
That process carried on into the contest’s dying embers – with Wakefield hanging on for a deserved victory and confining Hull to a third straight defeat. John Cartwright’s side need to improve – and quickly. The Challenge Cup and a trip to Leigh Leopards up next.
Teams
Wakefield Starting XIII: 23. Josh Rourke; 32. Will Tate, 4. Corey Hall, 2. Oliver Pratt, 21. Jayden Myers; 6. Jake Trueman, 20. Jack Sinfield; 8. Mike McMeeken, 17. Harvey Smith, 10. Ky Rodwell; 11. Seth Nikotemo, 18. Isaiah Vagana; 13. Jazz Tevaga
Interchange: 3. Cam Scott, 14. Jay Pitts, 15. Caleb Hamlin-Uele, 16. Caius Faatli. 18th Man: 12. Matty Storton
Hull Starting XIII: 3. Davy Litten, 19. Tom Briscoe, 4. Zak Hardaker, 21. Arthur Romano, 5. Lewis Martin; 6. Jake Arthur, 7. Aidan Sezer; 20. Yusuf Aydin, 9. Amir Bourouh, 10. Harvie Hill; 23. Brad Fash, 22. Connor Bailey; 13. John Asiata
Interchange: 14. Cade Cust, 15. James Bell, 16. Sam Lisone, 18. Ligi Sao. 18th Man: 27. Callum Kemp
Scorers
Wakefield Tries: Tate 2, Pratt. Goals: Sinfield 1/4
Hull Tries: Martin 2. Goals: Hardaker 1/2
Scoring System: 0-6, 4-6, 4-10, 10-10, HT, 14-10, FT
Referee: Aaron Moore. Video referee: Liam Moore
Attendance: TBC