Radford: We nailed the game plan

Hull FC head coach Lee Radford praised his players for sticking to the game plan in their win of attrition against Wakefield Trinity yesterday.

The black and whites were in danger of falling to an opening round defeat at a muddy Belle Vue until substitute Jake Connor’s pounced to win the game late on.

“We’ve had those conditions in Hull all year to be fair,” said Radford.

“I think we saw the pre-benefits of that because we trained in preparation of having to adapt to the conditions.

“We fought our way up field in the hope of snagging something and I said before we would score of kicks today, so for that to happen was really pleasing.”

It was a game of only two tries with Marc Sneyd’s three first half penalty goals in response to only one from Trinity proving to be the difference between the sides.

However, for long periods of the second half it didn’t look like being enough when Scott Grix scored for the hosts, a lead Wakefield would keep up until Connor’s try 10 minutes from time.

“For the players to buy into the game plan and stay so patient was a credit to them,” Radford explained.

“When Grix scored, it was a clear knock on but it was given. The temptation then is to try and chase it too much and go away from the plan but we stayed patient.

“It’s a good start to carry on from where we left off last year. I’m super pleased with how we have started and our commitment from 1 to 17 to execute the game plan against a good Wakefield team.”