Hull FC rounded off a disappointing season with a loss to St Helens last night as Tony Smith’s side fell to a 30-12 defeat, leaving them 10th in the table and having lost seven of their final eight matches.
The only win during that final third of the season came against relegated Wakefield Trinity whilst there was also the humiliating 52-20 home defeat to Huddersfield Giants from last week.
FC’s end of season form in which they lost their final six almost mirrored an earlier season run where they lost seven on the bounce between round three and round nine.
Tony Smith’s side travelled last night to the Totally Wicked Stadium hoping to snap that losing streak and dent Saints push for the League Leaders Shield and in the first forty they certainly managed to stifle Saints.
Losing just 8-0 at the half the signs were there that FC were looking far more resilient than the week prior against Huddersfield, however conceding two minutes into the second half erased any hope of an upset win.
A debut try for Lewis Martin and an intercept try for Cam Scott were drowned out by a Jack Welsby brace as well as a Jonny Lomax score, resulting in the 30-12 defeat rounding off the season.
From such high hopes pre-season it was a ultimately a huge disappointment and fans took to social media to echo those thoughts upon the full time whistle.
One fan questioned the desire, hoping for better in 2024.
They stated: “I really hope the defending is sorted for next season. We’ve let some soft tries in again tonight. There’s no desire from us to get stuck in. Too many not putting their shoulders in or grasping at thin air.”
Another singled out two of the departing players as those who deserved thanks for the season, simply responding “thanks Chris Satae and Adam Swift”.
Others were more blunt in their sentiments: “What a dismal season. I think I speak for many when I say “thank f*ck it’s over”.”
Whilst the evening ended in a loss there was a trophy lift as FC earned the Steve Prescott Cup, based on aggregate scores in the three games against Saints, however celebration of that award upset some fans with one labelling it “shameless”.
Perhaps worse for FC fans would be the success of cross city rivals Hull KR who ended the season on a high finishing fourth and set to host a playoff match, whilst FC are left to assess another season without playoffs.
