A pair of late tries from the Black & Whites at the MKM Stadium weren’t enough, going down 26-18 to Wakefield Trinity on Friday evening.
The visitors effectively secured their Super League status for 2023 with the win, which saw winger Lewis Murphy bag a hat-trick on the night.
Ben McNamara got Hull’s opening score of the night, but by the time Ellis Longstaff and Chris Satae touched down in the final ten minutes of the game, Trinity already had the two points as good as secured.
Team News
Jack Walker (ankle) and Darnell McIntosh (foot) both dropped out with injuries sustained on Sunday, with Hodgson confirming that Walker will miss the remainder of the season for the Black & Whites.
Jake Connor and Kane Evans both also dropped out to serve their respective one-match suspensions, with Jordan Johnstone also missing out.
Harvey Barron came into the starting thirteen to make his home debut after running out for the first-team for the first time last month against Toulouse.
Ben McNamara also returned from injury to start in the halves alongside Luke Gale, having been out of action since the Spring, with Manu Ma’u also back from injury to start.
Meanwhile, Ligi Sao also returned from suspension to start in the pack, alongside Scott Taylor who made his 300th career appearance this evening.
19-year old full-back Davy Litten was named on the bench to make his senior debut for the Airlie Birds this evening.
Josh Griffin (quad), Adam Swift (leg), Jack Brown (shoulder), and Cameron Scott (groin) remain on the sidelines, as well as long-term absentees Carlos Tuimavave (Achilles), Andre Savelio (knee) and Joe Cator (Achilles), leaving Hull without eleven first-teamers.
The Match
Trinity were dealt an early blow when prop Jai Whitbread was withdrawn from the action after a heavy collision with teammate Mason Lino.
As were Hull, with Connor Wynne and Joe Lovodua both leaving the field with injuries, allowing Davy Litten to come on and make his debut. Wynne returned, while Wakefield also lost Tinirau Arona in a hectic start to the game.
The visitors took the lead when Lewis Murphy spectacularly dived over in the corner for the opener. Lino converted.
Trinity soon doubled their lead when Lee Kershaw slid over in the opposite corner for their second try of the game. Lino made it two from two with the boot.
Hull got on the board when Luke Gale’s grubber bounced off the post, with Ben McNamara in the right place at the right time to pounce and score. Gale was on target with the goal.
Wakefield got their third try in controversial fashion – despite Harvey Barron appearing to be on the receiving end of a tackle off the ball as he looked to collect a high bomb, the try was awarded by the video referee as Lewis Murphy dotted down for his second.
Willie Poaching’s side were denied a fourth just moments later when Mason Lino knocked on after chasing a chip to the in-goal.
Half-Time: Hull FC 6-16 Wakefield Trinity
Another blow for Hull came early in the second-half when Jordan Lane was withdrawn with a head knock.
Wakefield had their fourth try of the game not long after when a ball popped out of a tackle in the in-goal area, with Liam Hood on hand to collect the loose ball and touch down. Lino kicked a third goal.
Lewis Murphy got his hat-trick try with 25 minutes to go, which put the result to bed for the visitors.
Hull managed late consolations through Ellis Longstaff and Chris Satae, as Longstaff made the most of a Trinity error in the in-goal, before Chris Satae powered over under the sticks with two minutes to play. Gale converted enough, but it wasn’t enough for Hull.
Full-Time: Hull FC 18-26 Wakefield Trinity
Squads:
Hull FC: Will Smith, Harvey Barron, Ellis Longstaff, Connor Wynne, Mitieli Vulikijapani, Ben McNamara, Luke Gale, Scott Taylor, Joe Lovodua, Ligi Sao, Manu Ma’u, Jordan Lane, Brad Fash
Interchange: Danny Houghton, Chris Satae, Davy Litten, Matty Laidlaw
Wakefield: Max Jowitt, Lee Kershaw, Jack Croft, Lee Gaskell, Lewis Murphy, Jacob Miller, Mason Lino, Jai Whitbread, Liam Hood, Tinirau Arona, Matty Ashurst Corey Hall, Josh Bowden.
Interchange: Brad Walker, Yusuf Aydin, Eddie Battye, David Fifita
Scorers:
Hull FC Tries: McNamara (30), Longstaff (73), Satae (78)
Hull FC Goals: Gale (3/3)
Wakeifld Tries: Murphy (15, 35, 55), Kershaw (23), Hood (46)
Wakefield Goals: Lino (3/5)
Official Attendance, sponsored by Garbutts: 9165
Campbell Engineering Man of the Match: Ellis Longstaff
STORY SPONSOR
