Roman Dawson scored a hat-trick for Hull FC reserves before leaving the field.
Hull FC outside back Roman Dawson.(Image: Dave Lofthouse, Hull FC)
Roman Dawson scored a first half hat-trick for Hull FC reserves in their 26-20 victory over St Helens on Saturday afternoon before leaving the field in the second half with a knee complaint.
However, it’s hoped the young outside back – making just his second appearance after recovering from back-to-back ACL injuries that kept him out for most of the 2024 season and the entire 2025 campaign – will be okay and able to feature in the club’s next reserves game away at Bradford Bulls next Sunday afternoon.
After scoring twice against Hull KR on his comeback last month, Dawson – who came off in the first half last time out, finished well for his three tries, with each finish more impressive as his speed and clinical nature was on show. But after taking what looked like a routine catch and tackle on the University of Hull’s 4G surface, Dawson struggled to get up to play the ball, walking off the field soon after.
Providing an update post-match, reserves coach Danny Houghton confirmed to Hull Live that the club expect Dawson to pull through. He said: “I think he’s okay. I’m hoping so. It looked like he did it early on but he managed to carry on in the game, which is a good sign. Fingers crossed for him. He’s had a bit of a rollercoaster ride so the rugby league gods need to shine on him now.”
As for Dawson’s performance, which also saw the 20-year-old run strong in the back field and shine defensively, Houghton continued: “He’s a big athletic rugby league player and the more times he can get on the field, the better his progression will be in the game.
“That goes for all kids, the more they can get on the field and showcase what they’re about, the better it will be for them. Fingers crossed he’s good to go and he can play again next week.
“He’s a handful. He does all the things you want to see with his carries, and he’s safe under the high ball, but then the things on the back of it; the link up play out of backfield and getting on the end of tries – the finishes he took were amazing. He showed some really good signs.”
As for the game, Hull led 16-0 at half-time following Dawson’s hat-trick, with young centre Ryan Westerman also in good form – a welcome sight after some long-term ankle/foot issues, and Joe Phillips playing some fair minutes after a recent leg injury scare.
Kicking on after the break, Hull extended their lead through Lloyd Kemp in the second half, before Saints hit back with two quick fire tries. Caleb Paleaaesina then eased the Black and Whites’ nerves after Saints spilt a threatening kick, evading the cover defence to score, before the away side hit back again with two more tries – albeit it little too late.
“I thought our first half was great,” Houghton said. “Our intent defensively is what we spoke about after the Wakefield game and that not being so great, but in the second half, we got a bit loose and invited them into the game a bit.
“With ball in hand, we made too many unforced errors, which gave Saints a leg up, but thankfully we did enough early on in the game to get over the line in the end.
“At this level, it’s about the kids getting out there, playing, and showcasing what they have. Whether they are first grade or not right now, that’s everyone’s goal, to get to that level, so my message to them is always to do the basis well, but go showcase what you’re about, and I thought a few of them really did that.”
Hull Reserves Starting XIII: Lloyd Kemp; Roman Dawson. Ryan Westerman, Caleb Paleaaesina, Henry Watkinson; Josh Horne, Callum Kemp; Will Wilson, Will Hutchinson, Jon Turner; Lennon Clark, Will Kirby; Jordon Baker
Interchange: Kieran Calvert, Charlie Cullen-Thomas, Rio Kassim, Joe Phillips
Tries: Dawson 3, L Kemp, Paleaaesina. Goals: Westerman 3/5