An injury-ravaged Hull FC got back to winning ways with a spirited 26-23 victory over Wakefield Trinity at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
The Black & Whites, who were missing eleven first team players for the fixture, claimed an important two points thanks to braces from Adam Swift and Jordan Lane, as well as a try from Andre Savelio.
Max Jowitt scored a quick-fire first half double, whilst Ryan Hampshire kicked a drop-goal on the half-time hooter. Kelepi Tanginoa scored a late second half brace to set up a nervy end to the match for Andy Last’s side, but Hull held onto the points.
Team News
Andy Last faced another squad-selection dilemma this week, losing several more players to injury.
Jamie Shaul, Josh Griffin, Carlos Tuimavave, Manu Ma’u and Jordan Johnstone all dropped out of the squad, on top of Ligi Sao, who served a suspension.
Ratu Naulago was ruled out of the game due to a failed concussion test, so fellow winger Bureta Faraimo was called back into the squad.
Youngsters Connor Wynne and Cameron Scott came into the line-up to make their first appearances of the 2020 campaign.
Swift made his 150th career appearance, but in the Wakefield camp, Craig Kopczak made an even more significant milestone. The prop forward made his 300th career appearance.
Chris Chester welcomed Ben Jones-Bishop back into the Trinity side, with the Jamaica international making his first appearance of 2020.
Connor Bailey and Yusif Aydin made their club debuts for Wakefield.
The Match
After a stop-start first ten minutes, Hull coped well with an early pair of interchanges, with Savelio and Josh Bowden forced off the field with head knocks.
Wynne linked up with fellow academy graduate Jordan Lane underneath the sticks, and the young back rower powered over from close range, scoring on the ground where he crossed for his maiden Super League try back in 2018. Connor’s conversion gave Hull a 6-0 lead.
Following a handful of Wakefield errors, FC managed to earn some more important field position. Albert Kelly drew in Tupou and exhibited a piece of glorious skill to flick the ball out towards Swift, who scored his 100th career try on his 150th career match – quite the day for milestones for the former St Helens winger.
Shortly afterwards, it was Wakefield’s turn to punish a Hull knock on inside their own half. Josh Wood’s liveliness out of dummy half caused issues for FC’s try-line defence, and Jowitt ran the perfect line to score Trinity’s first try in three matches. Hampshire converted to make it 10-6.
Within the blink of an eye, Chris Chester’s side were level and it was the same scorer. This time, Wakefield made a cut-throat break down the right wing, and Jowitt was supporting on the inside to cross the whitewash. Hampshire added the extras to put Wakefield in front by 12 points to 10.
The Black & Whites scored a crucial try on the stroke of half-time, with Swift crossing for his second. Good skill from Savelio freed up the winger, who dived low for the corner. Connor couldn’t tag on the extras from the right touchline.
With the final play of the first half, Hampshire took a look left and right and decided to kick a drop-goal with no other options available, meaning FC took a slender one-point lead into the break.
HALF-TIME: Hull FC 14-13 Wakefield Trinity
After a solid arm-wrestle in the first fifteen minutes of the second half, Hull were the first team on the scoreboard after the interval, although it took several minutes of analysis from the video referee for the four-pointer to be eventually awarded.
As Fonua and Tupou contested a kick, the ball was judged to come backwards off the Hull centre, and Savelio was johnny-on-the-spot to dot the ball down. Connor converted to make it 20-13 to the Black & Whites.
Lane’s successful try-scoring record at the Totally Wicked Stadium continued into the second half. The young back-rower profited from a ricocheted grubber kick and crossed for a career-first brace at Super League level. Connor kicked the conversion to extend Hull’s lead by another six points.
Having looked a bright spark for the opponents throughout, Tanginoa earned a try with nine minutes remaining, powering over from ten metres out. Hampshire’s conversion made it 26-19.
As Wakefield continued to pile the pressure on the comeback trail, Wynne was sent to the sin bin with five minutes remaining for a professional foul.
Tanginoa crossed for his second of the evening just one minute later to potentially set up a thrilling end to the came, but Hampshire’s missed conversion attempt saw FC remain in the lead by three points.
FULL-TIME: Hull FC 26-23 Wakefield Trinity
Squads & Scorers
Hull FC: Connor Wynne, Bureta Faraimo, Mahe Fonua, Cameron Scott, Adam Swift, Jake Connor, Albert Kelly, Josh Bowden, Danny Houghton, Brad Fash, Jordan Lane, Andre Savelio, Joe Cator
Hull FC Interchanges: Jack Brown, Kieran Buchanan, Masi Matongo, Chris Satae
Hull FC Tries: Lane (2), Swift (2), Savelio
Hull FC Goals: Connor (3/5)
Wakefield: Max Jowitt, Ben Jones-Bishop, Reece Lyne, Bill Tupou, Innes Senior, Connor Bailey, Ryan Hampshire, Craig Kopczak, Jordan Crowther, George King, Jay Pitts, Kelepi Tanginoa, Joe Westerman
Wakefield Interchanges: Yusuf Aydin, Chris Green, Titus Gwaze, Josh Wood
Wakefield Tries: Jowitt (2), Tanginoa (2)
Wakefield Goals: Hampshire (3/4), (DG)
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