Home hoodoo snapped, Tom Johnstone concern, the play-off race and Hull FC v Wakefield Trinity talking points

Hull FC moved back into the top six as they came from behind to beat Wakefield Trinity 16-10 at the MKM Stadium.

Here’s just a few talking points.

Worst game of the season?

If you missed this one live but were intending to watch the highlights, maybe don’t bother. It was an attritional watch at times with both sides making handling errors and producing a shocking standard of rugby.

Harvey Smith produced the one moment of quality in the first half when he made the most of a smart offload by slipping between Herman Ese’ese and Liam Knight at the end of the first half to burst away and put Max Jowitt over. After two Jowitt penalties, that was enough to give Wakefield a 10-point advantage at the break.

After dropping the ball at least six times in the first half alone, Hull needed to tidy things up in the second half and in truth, they did. They got themselves over the line through Zak Hardaker, who was by far Hull’s best player, and they pulled themselves level as Jordan Rapana, who has taken so much stick of late for his performances, got himself over through a crowd.

And, Lewis Martin completed the comeback when he powered through the challenge of four Wakefield Trinity defenders to somehow touch down in the corner.

Play-off race going to the wire

Wakefield were three points clear of seventh at one point in the night and had they managed to hold onto the lead, they would have delivered a hammer blow to the hopes of those teams below them.

As it is, the Black and Whites have now leapfrogged Daryl Powell’s side to move back up to sixth and with nine games to go, that battle for a spot in the top six looks set to be box office.

Warrington Wolves now have the chance to move level on points with Wakefield when they take on Catalans Dragons on Saturday night.

FC home record

It’s been a year, but Hull FC finally have a home win. They had to work for it, too, but in truth they just deserved it with a second half display that showed they can dig deep and get over the line when it really matters.

Their last win in East Yorkshire prior to Thursday night was against Wigan Warriors in July 2024. Since then 11 games in all competitions have been played at the MKM Stadium and Hull have lost 10 of them, with the draw against Leigh Leopards yielding their only home point.

They’ve got that monkey off their back, though, and with Huddersfield Giants and Salford Red Devils making the trip to the MKM Stadium next, they’ll fancy their chances of building on it.

Johnstone concern

Tom Johnstone was a notable absentee from the Wakefield Trinity teamsheet, with the winger being ruled out through injury. The England international was named in the 21-man squad but pulled out late with a small hernia issue.

Jayden Myers was the man selected to take his spot on the wing, on the outside shoulder of Cam Scott, who was making his return to the MKM Stadium for the first time since leaving in the off-season.