Hull FC defeat ‘a real sickener’ as Wigan Warriors man attempts to find answers

Wigan Warriors’ shock defeat to Hull FC in the Challenge Cup was a ‘real sickener’, says forward Luke Thompson. The Cherry and Whites built up a comfortable lead at the Brick Community Stadium as Zach Eckersley, Jai Field, Junior Nsemba and Liam Farrell all touched down for tries in the first half.

Herman Ese’ese grabbed a try for Hull in the opening 40 and that gave the Black and Whites something to cling onto going into the second half. Few could have predicted what followed though as FC launched the comeback of the season so far to stun last year’s quadruple winners.

Amir Bourouh touched down against his former club, before a spectacular hat-trick from Lewis Martin, each finish more eye-catching than the last, put Hull into the quarter-finals of the Cup and inflicted Wigan’s first defeat in the competition since July 2023.

Thompson couldn’t put his finger on a reason for the turnaround in the immediate aftermath of the defeat, but he did give the Black and Whites the credit they deserve.

“It’s pretty devastating to be honest – a real sickener,” he told Wigan Warriors’ club website. “We were up at half time thinking we had the game in a good spot and from there we should have been able to close it out. Unfortunately we didn’t, and Hull FC deserve credit for the way they came back to get the win.”

He added: “I’ll have to watch it back. There’s a few moments in the game that probably wasn’t us and to concede so many points in the back end it wasn’t acceptable. That’s something we’ll have to look at and fix up very quick.”

Indeed, Wigan will have the opportunity to get back on the horse next Saturday when they travel to Leeds Rhinos, who were knocked out of the Cup by St Helens on Friday night. Leeds have been misfiring so far this season and Wigan will be fired up as they travel to West Yorkshire.

“This loss is going to sting us,” he said. “We’ll have to get our heads together, watch this one back and try to fix up on things in training this week. Leeds will provide another tough test, but we’ll be going there determined to move on.”