The Black & Whites returned to winning ways on Easter Monday in dramatic fashion with a late Manu Ma’u try sealing the two points in a tight encounter against Warrington at the MKM Stadium.
In an end-to-end contest, the back-rowers try with three-minutes to play was duly converted by Luke Gale to seal the two points and earn FC a crucial victory to keep them within the play-off places.
Hull scored first-half tries through Jamie Shaul and Brad Fash, but the Wolves got over the line themselves through Matty Ashton and Daryl Clark. Ashton’s second after the break looked to be the winning score, but Tongan powerhouse Ma’u had other ideas.
Team News
Brett Hodgson made five changes to the side that ran out against Hull KR in the Good Friday Derby.
Connor Wynne, Jamie Shaul, Jordan Johnstone, and Josh Bowden all came into the starting thirteen, while Mitieli Vulikijapani came in onto the bench.
They replaced Adam Swift, Josh Griffin, Josh Reynolds, Danny Houghton, and Andre Savelio.
Hull remained without Joe Cator, Cameron Scott, and Scott Taylor through injury.
The Match
Warrington were reduced to twelve just ahead of the quarter-hour mark as Ben Currie was peanlised for holding a player back as FC attacked the line, and FC made their man advantage count in the following set; a cut-out pass from Luke Gale found Jamie Shaul on the left edge who slid over to score. Gale converted.
Warrington were back level just five minutes later though when Daryl Clark caught Hull’s defence napping; the hooker took a quick penalty just inside the FC half, and raced away some 45 metres down field through FC’s defensive ranks to score under the sticks. Ratchford leveled up the scoring with the boot.
In an end to end opening half-hour to the match, Hull hit the front once more; Brad Fash ran a great line to pick up Gale’s short pass close to the line to crash over for his first try of the season. Gale kicked a second.
The Wolves were back level before the break though; Darnell McIntosh fumbled a high kick into the corner, allowing Matty Ashton to pick up and score despite the best efforts of Carlos Tuimavave who almost forced the Warrington winger into touch. Ratchford leveled the scorelines with the kick.
Half-Time: Hull FC 12-12 Warrington Wolves
FC blew a great chance to open the second-half scoring just four minutes after the restart when Jamie Shaul slipped through a gap in the Wolves defence and raced towards the try-line, but his last-minute offload fell into the arms of Joe Philbin.
Warrington similarly had a golden opportunity at the other end of the field – Thewlis rose brilliantly to collect a high kick into the corner, and found Toby King with the pass, but his offload to Ben Currie was dropped just yards from the line.
In what would turn out to be a tight and tense second-half, it was the Wolves who broke the deadlock with ten minutes to play as Matty Ashton dived over in the corner for his second of the game. Widdop was wide with the kick and the gap was four points.
But Widdop’s missed kick proved to be the difference as the Black & Whites claimed victory in dramatic circumstances. As Hull piled on the pressure, Manu Ma’u crashed over the try-line with three minutes to play. After being sent up as a try by referee Chris Kendall, it was awarded by video referee Marcus Griffiths.
Gale lined up the all-important conversion, and slotted it over with ease to give Hull a two-point lead, and ultimately the two points on the league table.
Full-Time: Hull FC 18-16 Warrington Wolves
Squads:
Hull FC: Jake Connor, Jamie Shaul, Carlos Tuimavave, Connor Wynne, Darnell McIntosh, Joe Lovodua, Luke Gale, Ligi Sao, Jordan Johnstone, Josh Bowden, Manu Ma’u, Jordan Lane, Brad Fash.
Interchange: Chris Satae, Kane Evans, Jack Brown, Mitieli Vulikijapani
Warrington: Josh Thewlis, Josh Charnley. Peter Mata’utia, Toby King, Matty Ashton, Gareth Widdop, Stefan Ratchford, Robbie Mulhern, Daryl Clark, Mike Cooper, Ben Currie, Ellis Longstaff, Jack Hughes.
Interchange: Joe Philbin, Jason Clark, Joe Bullock, Danny Walker.
Scorers:
Hull FC Tries: Shaul (13), Fash (24), Ma’u (77)
Hull FC Goals: Gale (3/3)
Warrington Tries: Clark (18), Ashton (35, 69)
Warrington Goals: Ratchford (2/2), Widdop (0/1)
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