Hull FC went down to a resolute Warrington Wolves at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, with a pair of penalty goals from Stefan Ratchford the only points on the night.
Team News
Brett Hodgson made four changes from Hull’s last outing against Catalans Dragons a fortnight ago, with Scott Taylor returning from suspension alongside Mitieli Vulikijapani and Jordan Lane who had recovered from injury and Academy graduate Jacob Hookem making his first appearance of 2022 from the interchange bench.
Hodgson set out Hull’s intent to dominate the early stages through the middle, naming Kane Evans, Chris Satae and Ligi Sao from the start for the first time, whilst Joe Lovodua and Luke Gale resumed their partnership at half back for the first time since the reverse fixture at the MKM Stadium.
Meanwhile, Daryl Powell made two changes from his matchday 17 that was defeated by Wakefield Trinity earlier this month, as Peter Mata’utia returned to the side in place of Toby King and James Harrison made his Wolves debut, taking his place on the interchange bench for Kyle Amor.
The Match
Both sides huffed and puffed throughout a first half that ultimately was dominated by errors and was scoreless at the break.
Hull’s best chance of the half came through captain Luke Gale as he latched onto a Manu Ma’u offload close to the Warrington line, but as he burrowed down to score was caught with a Wolves defenders’ knee and the ball came loose, with Gale forced from the field for a Head Injury Assessment that he ultimately failed, with Jacob Hookem playing the final hour of the match at half back.
That wasn’t the only injury concern for Brett Hodgson, as Adam Swift left the fray around the quarter of an hour mark with a suspected broken leg, which forced Jordan Lane to play left centre and Ligi Sao to the right edge back row.
Although the match was scoreless, Hodgson would probably have been the happier of the two coaches at half-time, with Hull having the better of the territory battle, but unable to find any composure when opportunities presented themselves, with sloppy errors preventing the Black & Whites from building any sustained pressure.
Aside from the Gale opportunity Hull went close through Manu Ma’u as a Joe Lovodua kick went just over his head, and an offload from Danny Houghton to Scott Taylor judged as a knock on with the line begging.
Half Time: Warrington Wolves 0-0 Hull FC
The second half continued in much the same vein as the first, with both sides seemingly unable to complete their sets when in the oppositions’ territory.
Warrington broke the deadlock around the fifty minute mark, after Jack Brown passed the ball after the tackle was complete, which Stefan Ratchford kicked for the first points of the evening.
The following set the Wolves went close thanks to a break from George Williams, but Hull scrambled well in defence to keep out their hosts.
Hull had an opportunity of their own to kick a penalty goal after the Wolves were caught offside defending their goalline, but Darnell McIntosh’s attempt drifted wide of the uprights to keep the Black & Whites scoreless.
Warrington continued to press, but the Airlie Bird defence remained solid, but Hull were caught offside again, and Stefan Ratchford accepted the opportunity to kick at goal to extend their lead.
And that was how the game finished, and despite Hull’s best efforts the Wolves were able to keep the Black & Whites scoreless.
Full Time: Warrington Wolves 4-0 Hull FC
The Lineups
Warrington Wolves: Gareth Widdop, Josh Thewlis, Connor Wrench, Peter Mata’utia, Matty Ashton, Stefan Ratchford, George Williams, Robbie Mulhern, Daryl Clark, Mike Cooper, Ben Currie, Oliver Holmes, Matt Davis; Danny Walker, James Harrison, Joe Philbin, Thomas Mikaele
Hull FC: Jamie Shaul, Darnell McIntosh, Mitieli Vulikijapani, Connor Wynne, Adam Swift, Joe Lovodua, Luke Gale, Kane Evans, Danny Houghton, Chris Satae, Manu Ma’u, Jordan Lane, Ligi Sao; Brad Fash, Jack Brown, Jacob Hookem, Scott Taylor
Scorers
Warrington Wolves: Ratchford (2/2)
Hull FC:
Attendance: 8594
Campbell Engineering Man of the Match: Kane Evans
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