A fine win on the road for Hull FC, and while there was a lot to like about it, the challenge now is to back it up.
Hull FC celebrate a try at Castleford.
Hull FC put the drama of the last two weeks behind them with a thumping 50-10 victory at Castleford Tigers on Friday night. Here, Hull Live looks at some talking points.
Hull change the narrative
That was a clinical performance from the Black and Whites, who put behind them the Cartwright-McNamara-Myler dramas of the last fortnight with a superb win. Dominant throughout, Hull nailed the start of the game and kicked on for what, both in terms of silencing recent noise and in the context of their own season, was a massive win. They were disciplined throughout and they completed well, but they were also far from basic and conservative. They got width into their play; there was intent and they had the execution to go with it.
Led by James Bell, Hull were expansive, easy on the eye, and energetic. Everything they did had a purpose. Whether kicking to corners or attacking certain points of the field and then shifting back, it was a perfectly put-together game plan, with Castleford no match from the word go. Truth be told, the Tigers were awful, but they were made to be awful with a gulf in class evident. This was Hull’s night, and they made sure they owned it from minute one to 80.
‘Lasty’s at the wheel’
That was the chant after full-time from the 2,000-or-so-strong away end, who backed their man Andy Last and provided the support that means the world to him on his second debut as interim head coach. You’ll struggle to find someone more passionate about Hull FC and after stepping up to lead the club once again, he got the win and the start he so richly deserves. And what a contrast to last time, a 54-18 hammering at the hands of Salford Red Devils at Headingley, three months after a national lockdown. This couldn’t have been more different. And fingers crossed it’s the first of many.
Last spoke about his side nailing the start of the game pre-match and bringing some pride and passion to the performance. His players responded to everything he said and again, the connection was there to see. Obviously, the challenge now is to go again. Tougher tests await this side and as the old saying goes, one swallow doesn’t make a summer. Last knows that, and he’s already focusing on getting the preparation right for the visit of the French side next Sunday afternoon.
James Bell was outstanding
The Kiwi spoke to Hull Live in pre-season about bringing something a little bit different to the Hull side this year, his own flavour from the loose-forward position, and boy did he do that against Castleford. Again, the challenge will be to shape up with just as much influence against tougher oppositions, but you can only play what’s in front of you and Bell was outstanding on Friday night.
His line speed in defence is ridiculous, the best in the Hull team, and it got right in the face of Castleford, but in attack, he proved to be the middle link that got Hull playing with width. He just fell into shape, not quite akin to John Asiata, but not a bad alternative. Bell is his own player after all, and on his 150th career appearance, he bit right into the line, passed and ran at the right times, and linked with Aidan Sezer, Jake Arthur, and Amir Bourouh to effect, who were just as impressive, high in involvement and kicking strongly, and got Hull moving. An outstanding watch. Hopefully, there’s plenty more to come in the coming weeks and months.
Go back it up
The challenge now cannot be emphasised enough and that’s to back it up and go again against Toulouse next Sunday afternoon with another win. Of course, the players, 1-18, given the 18th man in Callum Kemp was activated, should enjoy that. It’s them that came out winners after a difficult and testing period, but through it all they’ve shown their connection, their commitment, and their charisma. They were professional and their attitude was spot on.
Tougher challenges await, of that there is no doubt, but if those qualities are matched week in week out, then they’re going to be in good stead. On that front, get the win against Toulouse and Hull will be five and five from ten games. That’s not a bad position to be in with two-thirds of the season to go and with an injury-hit Bradford up next after that, you’d fancy Hull – who are set to get players back across the next three weeks or so – to kick on. One game at a time, mind, but you can forgive anyone enjoying that for what it was worth. A solid performance, a satisfying night, and something to go on. Bring on next week.