Hull FC 18-26 Wakefield Trinity: Highlights, player ratings and talking points

Hull FC took on Wakefield Trinity at the MKM Stadium live on Sky Sports tonight.

The Black and Whites were dismal in the first-half as Wakefield dotted down three times, with Lewis Murphy grabbing a double and Lee Kershaw sliding in at the other corner.

Hull did finally reply with a Ben McNamara try from a Luke Gale kick, but that was all they had to show for in a 16-6 half-time deficit.

Wakefield were in a buoyant mood, however, and another try just after the break from Liam Hood sent them into a shock 22-6 lead.

And, Trinity weren’t finished there either with Murphy registering a hat-trick after Lee Gaskell had the ball knocked out of his grasp.

Ellis Longstaff did manage to dot down following a Gale kick with the latter’s conversion bringing Hull back to 26-12, and, Hull had just enough time for Chris Satae to force his way over to bring them back to within eight.

But, Wakefield held on for a superb win.

Highlights

Ben McNamara returning from months out was a shining light for Hull.

Lewis Murphy’s incredible finish epitomised his current brilliant form.

Corey Hall somehow offloaded out of a four-man tackle for Liam Hood to score.

Talking points

1. Costly night for Hull

Hull players were falling down left, right and centre with Manu Ma’u not reappearing after half-time following an arm injury. Jordan Lane and Connor Wynne went off for head assessments whilst Joe Lovodua was carried off with a knee problem. It looks as though the Black and Whites’ play-off hopes are now over.

2. Where has this Wakefield been?

In the past month or so, Wakefield have beaten Castleford and Wigan and lost narrowly to St Helens and Catalans. A win over Hull made it three wins from six games – that sort of form would have handed them a play-off spot if they had carried on like that all season. Jacob Miller and Mason Lino were fantastic once more whilst David Fifita was at his devastating best up front.

3. Hull support waning

Credit to Hull fans, they continue to turn up and support their side, but it’s not exactly been good to watch, and, tonight was no different. The Black and Whites’ supporters booed at half-time

Player ratings

Hull FC

40 Will Smith – 4
32 Harvey Barron – 2
38 Ellis Longstaff – 6
23 Connor Wynne – 6
25 Mitieli Vulikijapani – 5
19 Ben McNamara – 6
7 Luke Gale – 6
30 Scott Taylor – 5
14 Joe Lovodua – 3
8 Ligi Sao – 6
12 Manu Ma’u – 6
13 Jordan Lane – 5
17 Brad Fash – 6
Substitutes
9 Danny Houghton – 5
10 Chris Satae – 7
34 Davy Litten -5
38 Matty Laidlaw – 5

Wakefield Trinity

1 Max Jowitt – 7
19 Lee Kershaw – 7
20 Jack Croft – 7
17 Lee Gaskell – 8
27 Lewis Murphy – 10
6 Jacob Miller – 8
7 Mason Lino – 8
10 Tinirau Arona – 7
9 Liam Hood – 7
15 Jai Whitbread – 4
11 Matty Ashurst – 6
30 Corey Hall – 7
37 Josh Bowden – 6
Substitutes
8 Eddie Battye – 7
21 Brad Walker – 6
22 Yusuf Aydin – 5
35 David Fifita – 8