Hull FC hosted Leigh Leopards for a second time this season with both sides knowing a win would be massive for their play-off hopes.
The only draw of the Super League season came during the Round Four match between these two at the MKM Stadium but that wasn’t the case today as Hull FC won 18-12 in an incredibly hard-fought win.
Leading 12-0 at half-time, they were pegged back but Lewis Martin scored his 21st try of the season to secure the winner and keep the fire burning in the club’s play-off hopes.
Aidan Sezer missed out for Hull FC with head coach John Cartwright admitting pre-match that the captain could have played if it were the final game of the season. His omission meant that Zak Hardaker moved into the halves with Lloyd Kemp handed a debut on the bench. Jordan Lane also returned after a 15-week absence on account of his broken arm.
Adrian Lam named an unchanged 17 players although Robbie Mulhern was boosted from the bench to start in the front-row as he continues to return to full fitness.
Today’s result means Hull FC will remain in the top six, whilst Leigh missed a chance to capitlalise on Wigan’s loss and here are some of the key talking points.
Hull FC v Leigh Leopards talking points
Hull are genuine contenders… on their day
With this win, Hull FC solidified their spot in the play-offs but there’s still work to do with a very tough run that includes St Helens, Leeds Rhinos and Hull KR in their next three.
On their day, you would say that Hull FC can beat any of those sides but the issue is that they don’t have their day often enough. Today was one of those days, despite numerous injury issues plaguing them.
Make it into the play-offs and no one will fancy taking them on based on this, and other performances. Make the play-offs and put in showings such as those where Huddersfield have beaten them and it will all be in vain anyway. A team who can challenge top four sides but also lose to bottom four sides, all in the space of two weeks.
What’s the point in the video referee?
In it’s current guise, the video referee is not fit for purpose. Lachlan Lam’s try to get Leigh back in the game looked to all intents and purposes to be held up.
However, on-field referee Chris Kendall gave the try and video referee Liam Rush couldn’t find evidence to overturn the call. That was despite numerous rewatches, most of which seemed to sugest the ball was held up by Sam Eseh.
We’ve have video referee issues already this week due to insufficient camera angles and whilst the investment in the sport is at its current level, that problem remains.
But that problem can be removed by stopping this pointless system of the referee soft-signalling ‘Try’ or ‘No Try’ and just letting the video referee have their own say. At least in that instance, they aren’t hamstrung by having to use ‘conclusive evidence’ to overturn and can simply make their own decision.
Another crucial moment was Leigh’s Captain’s Challenge late on, something that Liam Rush could not rule on as the video ref doesn’t have access to audio, therefore couldn’t hear when Chris Kendall called ‘release’. Fortunately for Leigh, Zak Hardaker missed the kick so they weren’t punished.
Will Pryce injury
He returned last week against Salford Red Devils but Will Pryce barely managed 20 minutes against Leigh today with the full-back limping off in tears after a collision in the air.
Prior to that, he had been walking gingerly but his attempt to collect a kick saw him clash with a Leigh player and come down hobbling away. A quick word with the physio and Pryce was shepherded off behind the sticks, wiping away tears and later seen with his ankle iced.
That in itself would suggest he thinks it’s a bad one and given the fact he has only just recovered from an injury, you can understand his fear. With just five games left of the regular season and Hull FC not certain to make the play-offs, it could be season over for the former NRL man.
Signing of the season cotenders
There are plenty of shouts for signing of the season, several within these Hull FC and Leigh teams but Zak Hardaker has been absolutely brilliant for the Black and Whites all season long.
Asked to play in almost every position bar prop, the senior player has aged like a fine wine and he is having one of his most impactful seasons since that 2017 campaign with Castleford Tigers.
He’s not a sexy name to shout for as the signing of the season but Hull FC have reaped so many rewards from his signing.
Whilst we’re at it, how good is John Asiata? Back in the squad and with Aidan Sezer out of action, the loose forward was everywhere as he dominated defensively and played a key role in the Black and Whites’ attack.
Injury issues for everyone
Hull FC have had injury issues all year and they had plenty more today but it was Leigh who suffered the first blow of the evening as Joe Ofahengaue limped off after two minutes.
Will Pryce was a significant one for Hull FC but they also saw Cade Cust go off with a cut to his head and John Asiata apparently tweak a hamstring.
Leigh played much of the game without their own loose forward Isaac Liu due to an apparent injury but he was fit enough to play the final 10 minutes as they chased the game.
Sky Sports’ issues
For the umpteenth time this season, a Super League game did not have a game clock in the bottom corner on the scoreboard. It’s an issue that has plagued Sky’s, otherwise brilliant, coverage of the sport all year.
In plenty of games, the clock will just disappear and reappear randomly, however, tonight it just wasn’t present at any point.
Sky themselves are clearly aware as well with lead commentator Mark Wilson regularly mentioning how long was to play with Sky’s own cameras showing the stadium clock. It shouldn’t be a hard fix but it is an essential fix.
Hull FC hold off Leigh to stay inside the top six 😅 pic.twitter.com/BEXagBzHot
— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) August 16, 2025
