The Black & Whites ran in four tries at the Be Well Support Stadium to make it three wins in a row on Thursday evening, defeating Wakefield 26-6.
It was another impressive defensive display from Hull who held the hosts to just a single score, with FC’s tries coming through Adam Swift, Carlos Tuimavave, Liam Sutcliffe, and Scott Taylor.
While bottom side Wakefield enjoyed some strong field position in the opening forty, Hull held firm and ran away with the scoreline after the break for another important win under Tony Smith.
Team News
Tony Smith made three changes to the squad that beat Wigan Warriors last Thursday at the MKM Stadium, as Adam Swift returned from a calf injury and Jack Brown and Joe Lovodua were recalled to the match day squad.
Lovodua lined up at loose forward for just the second time this season, whilst Jake Trueman made his first start for the club after an impressive cameo from the interchange bench in last week’s win.
Brad Fash and Joe Cator missed out through illness and injury respectively, whilst Ben McNamara was rested after nursing a shoulder complaint through the first third of the season.
Scott Taylor moved into the starting side, with Darnell McIntosh moving from the wing to the interchange bench.
Michael Applegarth also made three changes to Wakefield’s team following last week’s competitive defeat to Warrington Wolves, with Tom Lineham, Samisoni Langi and Eddie Battye returning to the matchday 17.
Langi’s return meant Jay Pitts returned to his more familiar position of loose forward, having deputised at centre last week in place of the former Catalans man. Jordan Crowther and Lee Kershaw were the two other men to make way.
That meant there was no place in the match day squad for former Black & Whites captain Luke Gale, who is still waiting for his Wakefield Trinity debut.
The Match
Wakefield enjoyed the better of the first half of the action at the Be Well Support Stadium, but Hull were resolute in defence and kept their hosts scoreless during the opening exchanges.
Hull started the game brightly, as the forward pack made dents in the Trinity line, which saw Jake Clifford tackled just shy of the line in the first five minutes.
After Wakefield brought the ball clear Davy Litten teed up Liam Sutcliffe and Adam Swift to break through the Wakefield line, but Swift was tackled into touch by Will Dagger 15 meters shy of the tryline.
Swift wasn’t to be denied with his next chance though, as Jake Trueman and Jake Clifford linked together to set the winger free in the corner, and he didn’t miss with his acrobatic finish, which Clifford converted from the touchline for the only points of the half.
Hull had another chance to add to their score, Ligi Sao with excellent work in the middle of the park setting free Josh Griffin, but Tom Lineham positioned himself well to prevent a pass to Liam Sutcliffe, with Griffin tackled well by the covering Wakefield defence.
From there, Wakefield grew into the game, and twice had sustained pressure on the Hull line, first after Liam Sutcliffe passed forward from dummy half, giving the West Yorkshire side four consecutive sets attacking the Black & Whites, but their defence held firm on each occasion.
Will Dagger tried a 40/20 attempt with thirty seconds remaining on the clock, but Cam Scott watched the ball sail out on the full. From the resulting scrum Jake Clifford had a shot at a drop goal, but from 40 meters out the ball fell just short.
Half Time: Wakefield Trinity 0 – 6 Hull FC
After a tense first half, Hull were after to assert their authority in the second half, which saw the visitors create the best of the chances.
The first of those came deep within their own half, as Davy Litten made a half break, but he wasn’t able to offload to Adam Swift who would surely have been under the posts.
The next chance fell to the Black & Whites, and this time they were able to make it count.
Brad Dwyer caught the markers napping and made a lengthy break upfield, he passed to Jake Trueman who passed back to Dwyer. He was half tackled by the Wakefield defence but offloaded to Carlos Tuimavave to glide through a gap to score.
Jake Clifford converted the try, and was the next on the scoresheet. Back to back penalties put Hull in good field position, and when Kelepi Tanginoa was caught offside Clifford kicked a penalty goal to extend the lead to 14 – 0.
Hull looked to have sealed the game as nice feet from Davy Litten at the Wakefield defensive line created a huge hole which Liam Sutcliffe exploited with a trademark line and strode away under the posts.
Wakefield struck back with a consolation effort through Matty Ashurst as Hull overplayed their hand from the kick off. Mason Lino hit a double pump at the Hull line, and Ashurst rand a tough line and was able to reach out over the line to score.
Hull were able to score the final points of the match, as Scott Taylor carried three defenders on his back over the line to extend their lead.
Full Time: Wakefield Trinity 6 – 26 Hull FC
The Line Ups:
Wakefield Trinity: Will Dagger, Tom Lineham, Lee Gaskell, Samisoni Langi, Jorge Taufua, Morgan Smith, Mason Lino, Kevin Proctor, Harry Bowes, Jai Whitbread, Matty Ashurst, Kelepi Tanginoa, Jay Pitts; Eddie Battye, Liam Hood, Josh Bowden, Samuel Eseh
Hull FC: Davy Litten, Cam Scott, Carlos Tuimavave, Liam Sutcliffe, Adam Swift, Jake Trueman, Jake Clifford, Ligi Sao, Danny Houghton, Scott Taylor, Josh Griffin, Jordan Lane, Joe Lovodua; Darnell McIntosh, Chris Satae, Jack Brown, Brad Dwyer
The Scorers:
Wakefield Trinity: Matty Ashurst | Will Dagger (1/1)
Hull FC: Adam Swift, Carlos Tuimavave, Liam Sutcliffe, Scott Taylor | Jake Clifford (5/5)
Peregrine Property Man of the Match: Liam Sutcliffe
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