John Cartwright lauds key Hull FC quartet and lifts lid on challenge set

Hull FC head coach John Cartwright was delighted with what he saw from his side in attack this week but opted to pick out four middles for praise after the win over Leigh Leopards. The Black and Whites turned in one of their most promising performances of the season on Thursday night as they beat the Leopards 26-12 at Leigh Sports Village.

The damage was done in the first half with Hull touching down through Cade Cust, Herman Ese’ese, Lewis Martin and Sam Eseh. That was before they turned in a resolute defensive display to frustrate the home side, who were looking to move to within three points of top spot.

The win brought an end to Hull’s four-game losing streak, with the likes of Will Pryce and Aidan Sezer being widely praised. Cartwright believes it was Hull’s most clinical performance yet this season, too, but he could be heard hailing the efforts of his side’s front-rowers, who had to dig deep on the night.

Liam Knight played over 70 minutes during the contest, while Ese’ese, Eseh and Matty Laidlaw all impressed through the middle particularly in defence.

John Cartwright hails Hull FC middles

“He was outstanding and I thought Sam Eseh went to another level for us tonight,” Cartwright told BBC Radio Humberside when asked about Knight’s heroics. “Herman was his normal self and Matty Laidlaw did a fantastic job being only his second Super League game this year.

“He got about 35 minutes out on the middle and did a really solid job, which is what we expected of him. It’s a bit rude to pick out names like I just did because I was really happy with the lot of them.”

Asked about the grit and steel his side had to show against Adrian Lam’s side, Cartwright added: “I think it was there was week as well. The last two weeks have been the most consistent block of footy that we’ve put together against two sides that I really rate highly.

“I think those two sides are going to win more games than they lose I feel, they have a lot of depth and they’re dangerous teams. Really happy with last week, you don’t want to lose but you have to be real and there was a lot to like about us.

“The challenge was to back that up with the same attitude and off a loss that doesn’t always happen but they just went straight back and got on with the job.”