A depleted Black & Whites side put in a brave effort in the South of France on Friday evening, but a late surge from Catalans saw the Betfred Super League table toppers come away with victory.
After going into the final quarter of the game of the game level, it was the hosts who ultimately came out on top with a 31-16 win.
Hull had first-half scores from Carlos Tuimavave and Bureta Faraimo in what was a promising performance going into next wee’s Hull Derby.
Team News
Brett Hodgson handed debuts to Hull FC Academy pairing Marcus Walker, who started at centre, and Jacob Hookem, who started on the bench.
Hull were also boosted by the return of co-captain Scott Taylor, who also began the match as one of FC’s interchange options.
FC though were without several high-profile stars, including Mahe Fonua, Marc Sneyd, and Chris Satae, as well as Jake Connor, Josh Griffin and Masi Matongo who remain on the injured list, and Andre Savelio, Jordan Johnstone and Connor Wynne through suspension.
The Match
Catalans took the lead after just four minutes when the hosts opened up space down the right edge, allowing Tom Davies to score with ease on his return from injury.
Hull though took the lead against the run of play; as the Dragons looked to go for their second in the corner, Carlos Tuimavave intercepted and ran eighty metres to the opposite end of the ground to score a spectacular effort. McNamara converted with ease.
McNamara missed the chance to extend Hull’s lead as he missed a penalty goal on the 20 minute mark, but made amends minutes later with a further successful attempt.
The Dragons hit the front once more though as Davies added a second, with a spectacular diving effort in the corner.
However, Hull scored one of their tries of the season so far to give them the lead at half-time; Jordan Lane hit a superb line to break through the Dragons defence, and lobbed an audacious pass out wide to Bureta Faraimo who had the pace to finish.
Half-Time: Catalans 10-14 Hull FC
The Dragons took the lead once more just four minutes into the second-half as Sam Tomkins poked his nose through a gap in the Hull line, passing wide to Fouad Yaha who had the power to touch down in the corner.
McNamara brought the scores level with his boot with 25 minutes left on the clock, adding another penalty goal from 35 metres out.
Maloney added a drop-goal mid-way through the second-half.
FC prevented several chances for the Dragons, holding up their opposition over the line on three separate occasions, but they would finally get their try with ten minutes left in the clock through Tomkins, who picked up a dropped ball from Adam Swift right on the Hull line.
Bousquet added the final nail in Hull’s coffin when he powered over from close range in the final five minutes.
Full-Time: Catalans 31-16 Hull FC
Squads:
Catalans: Sam Tomkins, Tom Davies, Samisoni Langi, Dean Whare, Fouad Yaha, James Maloney, Josh Drinkwater, Gil Dudson, Micky McIlorum, Julian Bousquet, Coretin Le Cam, Mike McMeeken, Mickael Goudemand.
Interchange: Arthur Morgue, Joe Chan, Sam Kasiano, Jordan Dezaria.
Hull FC: Adam Swift, Bureta Faraimo, Marcus Walker, Carlos Tuimavave, Cameron Scott, Josh Reynolds, Ben McNamara, Brad Fash, Danny Houghton, Ligi Sao, Manu Ma’u, Jordan Lane, Joe Cator.
Interchange: Scott Taylor, Jack Brown, Josh Bowden, Jacob Hookem.
Scorers:
Catalans Tries: Davies (4, 24), Yaha (44), Tomkins (71), Bousquet (75)
Catalans Goals: Maloney (5/6)
Catalans Drop-Goal: Maloney (70)
Hull FC Tries: Tuimavave (15), Faraimo (35)
Hull FC Goals: McNamara (3/4)
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