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Hull FC ran out 80-6 winners over Salford Red Devils on Sunday afternoon. The Black and Whites scored 14 tries in total for their second-biggest ever Super League victory, with Lewis Martin crossing for four and Tom Briscoe getting his 100th for the club.
Elsewhere, Liam Watts got his first start this year, with the prop stepping up after Liam Knight’s injury, while there was a huge win for the academy and a spot-on prediction for a new coach sat alongside John Cartwright. Here is the latest notebook.
Liam Watts praise
After Liam Knight’s stress fracture on his ankle was confirmed earlier in the week, Liam Watts had big boots to fill, aiming to stamp the same aggression and physicality as seen in Knight’s appearances. It’s fair to say, regardless of the opposition being what it was, that Watts did that. He played his part – with a big role now coming for the final six games.
“He’s going to be really important without Liam Knight for the rest of the year,” Cartwright told Hull Live post-match. “I thought he was really good. He did his job; he ran hard and tackled hard, and he talks really well. He’s got a good calm head on his shoulders, and he’s a good guy to have around.”
Briscoe’s massive moment
Tom Briscoe touched down for his 100th Hull FC try on Sunday, taking Zak Hardaker’s pass to score his milestone effort. It was a just reward for a player who has always conducted himself in the most professional manner and who remains a popular player at the club.
“It was a massive moment, especially for the majority of us ex-players who struggle to score one try,” Cartwright said. “To score 100 for one club, and he’s got a lot more of that in his career, but I had my fingers crossed that he’d get one today to get that monkey off his back. He did well. He chased the ball. There was nothing on. He followed the ball and used all his experience, and it was a great moment for him.”
Martin continues to excel
From the moment Lewis Martin debuted for Hull FC, the talent was there to see. That night, he left St Helens chasers in their wake to score his first try for the club and now, 50 games later, he continues to rise and rise. He scored four tries against Salford, now leading the Super League chart at 20 and with 27 for the season in all competitions.
But it’s the teamwork that impressed Cartwright, with Martin combining with the likes of Will Pryce, Harvey Barron, and Davy Litten to effect as Hull scored some eye-catching and long-range tries.
“Today’s were results of great teamwork,” Cartwright told Hull Live when asked about the winger’s display. “Lewis is doing a great job finishing those tries, but I’m probably more pleased with the work that happens inside him. He’s got speed, and he’s evasive, and he is getting better all the time. But yeah, the work that’s been done inside him is the most pleasing.”
As for his two wingers, which saw Barron also excel, Cartwright continued: “They are big bodies, but again, the work done inside them and the work they do out of the backfield for us are the most important things.”
Massive game ahead
Hull are now back inside the top six positions after victory over Salford but they know they are going to have to beat Leigh on Saturday to stay there. It’s a massive game, with the contest being the third meeting of the two sides this season – the other two bringing a draw and a Hull win.
“You can’t say every game’s a grand final because there’s only one grand final but it’s a really big game,” Cartwright said. “We’ve got some tough games and we’ve got to beat some of the better sides in the competition. Leigh’s the first one we’ve got and all I know is that we’re excited about it. We won’t run away from it.”
And on the top six and a potential play-off finish, with Hull going toe to toe with Wakefield, Cartwright added: “If we win games, mate. That’ll happen.”
New coach has his say
There was one notable new face who sat alongside John Cartwright post-match: the club’s junior takeover coach, Blake. Asked for his post-match thoughts, Blake told Hull Live: “I was just shocked by how many tries they scored at once.” And as for his favourite, Blake added: “When Lewis Martin scored his hat-trick.”
Cartwright also revealed Blake spoke to both Martin and Barron pre-match, with the wing duo crossing for six tries between them. “He (Blake) predicted the hat-trick too, before the game,” Cartwright said. “He said to Lewis, ‘I want you to score a hat-trick,’ and he said to Harvey, ‘I want you to score two.;”
A true motivator. Sign him up, Hull.
Academy record biggest win of season
Hull FC’s academy defeated Salford 64-0 on Friday night. The win followed on from another 52 points scored against Huddersfield, with Francis Cummins’ side winning their last three games.
Both Kemp twins, Lloyd and Callum, played for the side, with Lloyd crossing over for a try. Elsewhere, four tries came for Rio Kassim, with Kirils Prigorkins scoring two. Matty Shepherdson, George Power, Leon Hayward, Alfie Baxter, and Tom Cheshire also crossed over with Joe Thompson kicking eight goals.
Hull Starting XIII: Lloyd Kemp; Kirils Prigorkins, Rio Kassim, Leon Hayward, Rhys Yorke; Callum Kemp, Joe Thompson; Jon Turner, George Power, Callum Smith; Finley Wilson, Tom Cheshire; Matty Shepherdson. Interchanges: Alfie Baxter, Charlie Cullen-Thomas, Zak Nelson-Hewitt, Alistair Swyer.
Wheelchair side heavily beaten
It was one to forget for Hull FC’s wheelchair side on Saturday, with Leeds Rhinos running out heavy 98-0 winners. The result leaves the Black and Whites in fifth spot in the wheelchair Super League, having won two of their opening five games.