Hull FC

John Cartwright opens up on Hull FC injury latest amid Cade Cust, Amir Bourouh and Liam Watts issues

by
Will Jackson
March 28, 2025

John Cartwright admits he was worried about his Hull FC side overlooking the challenge of Castleford Tigers, with a Challenge Cup Hull derby now looming large on the horizon. As such, the head coach will have been relieved as the Black and Whites overcame disruption and adversity to claim their fourth win of the season.

It was a less than perfect showing from Hull, but they had more than enough to claim a 24-14 win, with Castleford scoring two late tries once the result was beyond doubt. Herman Ese’ese touched down for Hull’s first and that was followed by efforts from Aidan Sezer and Tom Briscoe as FC built up a commanding first half lead.

Lewis Martin scored in the second and an Aidan Sezer penalty with around 10 minutes remaining all but secured the points at Wheldon Road, ruling out the threat of a late comeback and seeing Hull FC move up to second in the table, at least until tonight when Leigh Leopards take on Wakefield Trinity.

“I was a bit worried coming to the game,” Cartwright said after the game. “I just had a few hiccups from the last game with a few injuries and an enormous game coming up next weekend.

“I was hoping we could turn up here and do a job and then worry about next weekend next week. We had to make a lot of changes in the second half in key positions and that probably stifled us with the ball.

“I thought at stages in the first half we were as good as we’ve been with the ball but it become a bit of a slogfest at the end of the game, went down to 12 men, Amir was off, Johnny was off, Cade was off so we were a bit of a bits and pieces team when we finished the game.”

The win didn’t come without its setbacks though, with Cade Cust picking up a head knock, while Sam Eseh and Amir Bourouh couldn’t finish the game, either.

“The toll is starting to mount up injury wise again,” Cartwright added. “We got back to a manageable stage a couple of weeks ago but we’re getting to that stage now where we would like to go on a run where we can start and finish a game as planned and not lose too many the following week.”

On the injuries, he said: “Sam was really good, really strong. Hopefully he’s OK, he could have gone on the field was the call from the bench so fingers crossed he’ll be available for next week.

“Cade got a head knock and I’ll have to get clarification on that. He didn’t go back on. I’m not sure if that was our call or he was a Cat 1 so I’ll have to check on that. Sam was a knee, rolled his knee. Amir hurt his ankle early in the game but he got through so we were just sort of resting him. I think that was about it.”

On top of that, Hull FC went into the game without Liam Watts, who made his debut for the club last week at Wakefield Trinity and impressed. The forward was named in the 21-man squad but missed the game due to a minor calf issue.

“He pulled up sore at training on Wednesday, he went for a scan and he’s got a bit of a calf strain,” the head coach clarified. “We’ll have to assess him next week. He tried to train yesterday but wasn’t up to it so we had to rest him.”