‘Play to the whistle’ – Last reacts to Johnstone’s controversial try

Hull FC coach Andy Last has defended the decision to award Jordan Johnstone’s try in Thursday night’s game against Castleford.

The controversial score was labelled ‘nonsensical’ by Tigers boss Daryl Powell, with play allowed to carry on despite a melee in back play creating huge space for the Hull hooker.

It proved to be a decisive four-pointer in the ten try thriller at the Jungle, as a late try from Jake Connor saw the Black and Whites steal a crucial win.

Speaking post-match, Last said: “It was a tough call. I can see why Daryl (Powell) was so frustrated with it.

“But play continued. The referee did not blow his whistle and you have to continue playing until the whistle.

“That is something you get taught in the junior days. You have to play to the whistle but because the referee did not as he suspected no foul play, we carried on and members of their team carried on and, obviously, we ended up scoring on the back of it.

“I can understand Daryl’s frustration because there are five or six players who probably would have been running back and put themselves in position to make a tackle on Jordan Johnstone.

“Players being players, a little bit of a fight starts, everyone wants to run in and show how tough they are and, unfortunately for them, it cost them a try which was a key score.”

The victory saw Hull go above Castleford into seventh place on points’ percentage, and keep their slim hopes of a playoff place alive.

It wasn’t just the result that was pleasing for Last though as debutant Ben McNamara, son of Catalans’ head coach Steve McNamara, capped off a superb first display for the club with a try.

“Ben did extremely well tonight,” said Last. “At short notice, to get the call this morning and then be thrown on within 15 minutes.

“On that right hand side, he was up against Junior Moors, who is a big handful.

“He held his own defensively and what he did do well, he played it simple.

“From a half-back’s point of view, they can chase the game and try and come up with a big play to try and win it on the run.

“But Ben understands the processes of the game and he came up with a really telling ‘box kick’ late in the first half which was key for us, having a little bit of field position.

“To come up with the try-scoring play he did was excellent. He was not happy with the pass he threw to Jake (Connor) initially but then Ben supported his break.

“That is the type of kid Ben is and he is a great example for the young kids. He can be good but there is always things he can improve on and he is one of those guys who tries to do that every single day.”