Two veterans continue to come up trumps for Hull FC.
Tom Briscoe made his 200th appearance for Hull FC at Leigh Leopards.
Tom Briscoe played his 200th game for Hull FC on Friday night, with Andy Last labelling his performance ‘sensational’.
The veteran has been in good form for the Black and Whites since coming into the side this year. Solid and dependable, Briscoe, 36, has worked hard and done his job to effect, getting stuck in and showing the way to the club’s younger players.
Playing on the left wing at Leigh, Briscoe rolled back the years with another stern performance, with a new deal for the 2027 season not ruled out. The club holds an option to extend his current contract by another year – something that makes more sense with the passing week given his displays, ability to pass on experience, positive attitude, and general professionalism around the club.
“He was absolutely superb,” Last said on Briscoe. “It was a proud moment for me to be able to give him his 200th game jersey. He’s been a great, great servant to the game and he epitomises what this club is about.
“He’s come through our system. He’s never been a bit of bother; he’s the ultimate professional. He trains well, lives the right way off the field, and is a great family man. He’s come from a great family. His mum and dad are brilliant people and I’m sure they’re really, really proud of Tom.
“Again, we’re proud that he’s come through our system. I thought he was sensational tonight. He gave a really good account of himself against one of his former clubs and I thought he supported young Ben Johnson in that centre position extremely well.
Meanwhile, another veteran, Zak Hardaker, also impressed for Hull at Leigh. Lining up at loose-forward, the 34-year-old got stuck in and played his part in what was a gritty showing, scoring a try, getting through a mountain of work in the middle of the field, and showcasing his versatility once again.
“I thought he found this spot,” Last smirked. “I spoke to him during the week about one of the great loose forwards of Hull FC, Knocker Norton. And if you can put in a stint like Knocker used to, you’ve gone alright, and after the game, Zak said, ‘Would Knocker have been proud of that?’ And I said, ‘Yeah, he would have been.’
“He was probably a little bit more silky, was Knocker, but I thought, effort-wise, Zak was very good. He did a great job, played with lots and lots of energy, and was very, very proud to lead the team and I thought he led it well.
“He’s a great lad, Zak – he’s a throwback. He’s a proper rugby player and he competes hard.
“He might have a couple of pints on a Saturday night, but he turns up ready to train and ready to rip in on a Monday. That’s the type of character he is; he’s obviously had some misdemeanours previously, but he’s a family man now.
“He’s a dad, a very devoted dad as well; he loves spending time with his kids and whenever I speak to him or ask him what he’s done today, he’s done something with the kids at school or taken them to the park.
“I think that’s really helped him mature and settled him down. He is a family man now and we’re benefitting from that.”