The Black & Whites recorded their biggest league win of the season so far with a dominant 48-12 victory over Toulouse Olympique on Saturday afternoon.
Hull scored nine tries, featuring hat-tricks for both Connor Wynne and Darnell McIntosh, in a performance that saw the host dominate across the eighty minutes.
A quickfire quartet of scores before the break put Hull in control of the contest, with the moment of the match coming when young hooker Denive Balmforth scored on debut having come off the bench just two minutes earlier.
The win is the Airlie Birds’ fifth home victory in a row, as they continue their impressive form at the MKM Stadium in 2022.
Team News
Hull FC made two changes from the side that defeated Catalans Dragons last week, with Connor Wynne coming into the side alongside young hooker Denive Balmforth, who made his competitive and professional debut for the Black & Whites.
The pair replace Josh Reynolds, who missed out through suspension, and Mitieli Vulikijapani, who was representing the British Army RU side on Saturday afternoon in their Babcock Trophy clash against the Royal Navy at Twickenham.
Hull remained without Adam Swift, Josh Griffin, Cameron Scott and Ben McNamara on the injury front, while Joe Cator and Andre Savelio continue to sit on the sidelines with their season ending injuries, and Luke Gale served the second game of a two-match suspension.
The Match
Toulouse hit the front just after the ten minute mark when Junior Vaivai got on the end of a delicate grubber into the in-goal to touch down. Marion added the extras.
Hull hit back though through Darnell McIntosh who dived over acrobatically in the corner for our opening score of the game. Connor kicked wide.
FC hit the French side with a quickfire trio before the half-hour mark; Connor Wynne took a pass out on the left flank and used his electric pace to race pass several Toulouse defenders from forty metres out and score. Connor kicked a first.
Hull’s next came through Joe Lovodua, who took a short pass from twenty metres out in front of the stick and raced away to touch down. Connor made it two with the boot.
And Darnell McIntosh got a second when Connor slid through a pinpoint grubber allowing the winger to pounce in the corner. Connor kicked a third.
As the floodgates opened for the hosts, there was still time for FC to grab a fifth before half-time when Wynne darted through on the left side to get his second score with ease. Connor ht the post with the conversion attempt this time.
Half-Time: Hull FC 26-6 Toulouse Olympique
Toulouse managed to hit back through Anthony Marrion who burrowed his way over from close range, but the moment of the game came not long after; young hooker Denive Balmforth came on for his debut, and was over the try-line within two minutes! The academy star supported a Lovodua break down the left flank, with the offload eventually finding him and allowing him to race away and score. Connor made it four with the boot.
Connor Wynne got his first career hat-trick when he raced away down the left side and had the pace to beat every defender in question.
Whatever Wynne could do, McIntosh could do just as well, as the winger completed his own trio of tries just minutes later.
There was still time for more scores from the hosts in the final ten minutes – Joey Lovodua did all the work for Hull’s ninth as he broke free of a Toulouse tackle, and gifted the ball to Fijian compatriot Kane Evans when already over the line!
Full-Time: Hull FC 48-12 Toulouse Olympique
Squads:
Hull FC: Jake Connor, Jamie Shaul, Connor Wynne, Carlos Tuimavave, Darnell McIntosh, Jordan Johnstone, Joe Lovodua, Ligi Sao, Danny Houghton, Kane Evans, Manu Ma’u, Jordan Lane, Brad Fash.
Interchange: Chris Satae, Jack Brown, Scott Taylor, Denive Balmforth.
Toulouse: Olly Ashall-Bott, Paul Marcon, Mathieu Jussaume, Junior Vaivai, Matty Russell, James Cunningham, Anthony Marion, Romain Navarette, Lloyd White, Maxime Puech, Maxime Stefani, Andrew Dixon, Joe Bretherton.
Interchange: Harrison Hansen, Eloi Pelissier, Gadwin Springer, Justin Sangare.
Scorers:
Hull FC Tries: McIntosh (17, 30, 67), Wynne (24, 37, 61), Lovodua (27), Balmforth (56), Evans (76)
Hull FC Goals: Connor (6/9)
Toulouse Tries: Vaivai (11), Marion (49)
Toulouse Goals: Marion (2/2)
STORY SPONSOR
