Hull FC have been forced to show character in the opening few rounds but they were up against it straight away against Leigh Leopards on Saturday afternoon in the Betfred Super League.
They were 10-0 down after 10 minutes and lost Carlos Tuimavave to injury inside the opening stages as the Black and Whites were blown away by the Leigh Leopards in a stark contrast to the way they were able to hand in there against Catalans Dragons a week ago.
Hull FC were 10-0 down after a lovely set pattern play to the right wing with Umyla Hanley scampering in for his second try in two games before fellow winger Josh Charnley scored on the other edge with a lovely finish.
Hull FC fullback Tex Hoy did get them on the board but Leigh would continue the tide of tries when Ricky Leutele would storm through a gap and score to make it 16-4. Then Rob Mulhern would power over from close range as the former Hull KR star impressed. Then a former Hull FC star was on the board capitalising from a Kai O’Donnell break.
A Matt Moylan conversion on the hooter gave them a 30-4 lead as Franklin Pele was sin binned for a late hit on Brad Dwyer.
Eight minutes into the second half, Leigh extended their lead through a try for Oliver Holmes. He scored again after a lovely Zak Hardaker break.
Hull FC would be forced to stomach conceding 50 after Matt Moylan weaved through on the back of a Ricky Leutele break and the former Huddersfield Giants centre would get himself a try shortly after to make it 54-4.
Hull FC legend speaks out
Credit: Imago Images
Making the defeat to Leigh Leopards worse for one Hull FC player, it was his landmark 400th appearance.
This was of course club captain Danny Houghton who also left the field with a hamstring injury alongside Carlos Tuimavave.
Houghton became only the fifth Super League player to reach 400 appearances with just one club and after the game his former teammate spoke out on Houghton being let down.
That teammate was 2005 Challenge Cup Final hero Paul Cooke who said on X: “What an achievement in the modern game today! In the middle of the field all of his career. Can’t help but feel this club legend deserved a better performance from his team today.”
