A good week. Now it’s all about the next. one. The latest Hull FC notebook.
Hull FC centre Davy Litten impressed once again.
Hull FC ran out 50-10 winners at Castleford Tigers on Friday night, with the Black and Whites getting Andy Last’s second stint as interim head coach off to the perfect start. Elsewhere, there were wins for the academy and wheelchair sides, with a rising centre grabbing a hat-trick of tries. Here is the latest notebook.
‘Lasty’s at the wheel’
Andy Last certainly enjoyed his first game at the Hull FC wheel, and after what has been a difficult and challenging period for the club, who can blame him? Last, backed by the players, also saw his praises sung by 2,000 travelling fans – with Last paying tribute for that support post-match. Giving a measured view, the coach isn’t getting carried away, but there was a sense of satisfaction after a pressure-relieving victory for all.
“They (the fans) certainly enjoyed it,” Last said. “It was nice for me to soak it up, as I know there’s going to be some really tough days around the corner. I sat in this chair back in 2020 when I’d been beaten by 50 as interim head coach against Salford back in 2020 and that was a really lonely place.
“I enjoy those moments, hearing them sing ‘Lasty’s at the wheel’ – that was nice – and ‘He’s one of our own’ – that felt nice as well. I am Hull FC at heart and I’m going to lap up this moment and enjoy it. I’ll enjoy a bit of downtime with my family at the weekend and then it’s back to work on Monday.”
Going again
Hull have a massive opportunity now to build some confidence and momentum into their 2026 season. They host Toulouse Olympique on Sunday afternoon before a week off and a trip to another struggling and injury-hit outfit in Bradford Bulls. Of course, Hull will take nothing for granted, and it’s very much one game at a time, but on the face of it, Last Side will fancy their chances in both of their next two games.
They will start as favourites against Toulouse, for sure, and that brings its own challenge. It’s been a very Hull thing to do in recent times to lose when the clear favourite and that’s a tendency they will want to rid straight away this week. Another win would put them five and five after ten games, and given everything that has gone on this year, that wouldn’t be a bad return. Hull can then regroup and by the time they face Bradford, they could have three or four returns from injury. It’s important to stay grounded, but there’s a real chance now to build some momentum with another big game and period ahead.
Hull up for the grind
There was a lot to like about the attacking elements of Hull’s display at Castleford. Last’s side shaped up well and were easy on the eye, albeit some of Castleford’s defending was woeful. Still, you can only beat what’s out in front of you and what was pleasing as anything was Hull’s willingness to win the physical and energy battles. That was best summed up by two moments from Davy Litten and Cade Cust: Litten, who chased down a kick to force a drop out and Cust, who won a loose ball when he had no right to do so.
“There were a couple of moments like that,” Last said post-match. “It could have been a lost cause but because of Davy’s effort, we get a repeat set. There was a play a few minutes earlier where Castleford made a loose pass, and there’s no way Cade Cust should have got the ball, but he won the energy battle and he got there.
“He jumped on the scrap and that was an indicator of where the players’ focus was to put in a strong performance. The unfashionable bits we’ve called our team based actions and the players really bought into that. We got our rewards at the end of it.”
Hull FC reserves earn huge win
Danny Houghton’s Hull FC reserves ran out 58-22 winners at Bradford Bulls on Sunday afternoon, with Callum Kemp, backing up his first-team camo at Castleford Tigers on Friday night, scoring a hat-trick. Rio Kassim also played, backing up his academy showing earlier in the week.
Academy earn biggest win of the season
Hull FC’s academy side ran out 50-4 winners at Huddersfield Giants on Wednesday night, with young centre Rio Kassim scoring a hat-trick of tries. The teenager, also capable of playing in the back row, trained with the first team in pre-season, playing in Brad Fash’s testimonial game, and is highly thought of at the club. This was a strong account, with Francis Cummins’ side up and running in 2026. They are next in action against Leeds Rhinos at the University of Hull on Friday 1 May.
Wheelchair record win
The Hull FC wheelchair side got their first win of the Super League season away at Edinburgh Giants on Saturday afternoon. Heading up to Scotland, the Black and Whites ran out 32-30 winners.
Scholars in action on Wednesday
Hull FC’s scholarship side are back in action against Castleford Tigers at the University of Hull on Wednesday night. The under-16s have won all four of their games so far this season, hammering Leeds Rhinos 58-0 before narrow wins against Warrington Wolves and Huddersfield Giants. They defeated Hull KR last time out and will be looking to make it five from five against the Tigers.