Match Report: Hull 20-10 Warriors

Match Report: Hull 20-10 Warriors

The match report from Hull’s cup encounter with the Warriors

Match Report News

Prop forward Chris Satae scored twice as Hull FC progressed to the semi-finals of the Betfred Challenge Cup after an impressive 20-10 victory over Wigan Warriors.

After falling behind early on, Satae got Hull back in the match under the sticks. It was also his barnstorming second half try that extended the Black & Whites’ lead.

Wigan left it too late to mount a comeback when Dom Manfredi grounded a kick in the corner, just moments before Adam Swift swooped on a Willie Isa error to seal the game and send Hull into the final four of the competition.

Team News

Brett Hodgson was required to shuffle some members of his squad around for the cup tie, with a further three players unavailable following last week’s meeting with the Warriors.

Jake Connor and Brad Fash served one-match suspensions, whilst Scott Taylor was ruled out with a foot injury.

But Hodgson was boosted by the return of two high-profile stars. Josh Reynolds returned from a hamstring problem, whilst Manu Ma’u made his comeback from a calf tear sustained in the previous round of the cup.

Swift deputised at fullback, with Cameron Scott rewarded for his early season efforts with a wing spot.

Jack Brown came into the matchday squad, along with fellow academy graduate Connor Wynne, fresh from returning from a brief loan spell with York City Knights.

Wigan were forced into one change with Tony Clubb serving the first match of an eight-match suspension.

Liam Byrne came in to start at prop, whilst Manfredi recovered from an injury and started the game on the bench.

The Match

As they did in the Super League meeting last Thursday, the Warriors drew first blood on the ten minute mark. A well executed move saw Isa put Bibby away in the corner. Hardaker couldn’t convert.

In similar fashion to last week, Hull responded quickly to Wigan’s opener. After forcing an error from Wigan, a powerful run from Satae underneath the sticks was rewarded with a try. Sneyd tagged on the extras.

Hull extended their lead by a further two points after the Warriors were penalised for an offside offence. Sneyd duly obliged from the kicking tee to make it 8-4 after 20 minutes.

After weathering somewhat of a storm from the Warriors, the Black & Whites were penalised for a ball steal. Despite electing to take the two points on offer, Hardaker hit the woodwork from in front of the sticks.

Shortly afterwards, Hull were once again penalised for a dangerous tackle. This time, Jack Brown was sent to the sin bin.

HALF-TIME: Hull 8-4 Warriors

The physicality of the match spilled over into the second half, with both sides trading big hit for big hit. But Wigan’s discipline cost them again when Liam Farrell was penalised for an escort on Reynolds. Sneyd decided to take the two points on offer but he couldn’t find the target.

Reynolds was impeded once again at the end of Hull’s next set, which led to yet another penalty for the Black & Whites. Sneyd made no mistake on this occasion, stretching Hull’s lead to 10-4.

Hull’s patience during another attritional spell during the match was rewarded with a second try, and a brace for Satae, who couldn’t be stopped on a marauding run over the whitewash from ten metres out. Sneyd tagged on the extras.

Up against the clock, Wigan began playing some off-the-cuff rugby and an early kick to the corner in the set saw Manfredi win the race to ground the ball. Smith converted to give the Warriors a fighting chance in the last minute of the game.

With one minute remaining, the Warriors still had time to mount a comeback. As they shifted the ball on the last play, Isa came up with an error and Swift picked up the loose ball and raced 70 metres to score under the sticks.

FULL-TIME: Hull 20-10 Warriors

Squads & Scorers

Hull: Swift, Scott, Tuimavave, Griffin, Fonua, Reynolds, Sneyd, Satae, Houghton, Sao, Savelio, Ma’u, Lane

Hull Interchanges: Brown, Cator, Johnstone, Wynne

Hull Tries: Satae (2), Swift

Hull Goals: Sneyd (4/5)

Warriors: Hardaker, French, Farrell, Isa, Bibby, Hastings, Smith, Singleton, Powell, Byrne, Smithies, Bateman, Partington

Warriors Interchanges: Bullock, Havard, Manfredi, Shorrocks

Warriors Tries: Bibby

Warriors Goals: Hardaker (0/2)