Wakefield Trinity 12-16 Hull FC: Player ratings and three major talking points

Wakefield Trinity took on Hull FC this afternoon at a miserable Belle Vue with the rain pouring down and the pitch more resembling a mudbath.

It was Hull FC that eventually ran out 16-12 winners with some superb defence keeping Wakefield at bay, though Jake Connor was red carded for a swinging arm on Lee Gaskell as he ran through.

Three major talking points

1. Jake Connor’s red card

Jake Connor saw red 14 minutes before the end for a swinging arm on Lee Gaskell as he tried to make his way to the line. It may well have been a yellow in 2021, but the recent crackdown ensured he was sent off, much to the delight of the Trinity fans. Darnell McIntosh went to fullback as Hull tried desperately to cling on.

2. Hull’s new signings were impressive

Luke Gale, Darnell McIntosh and Joe Lovodua all scored for the Black and Whites and all played major roles in Hull’s victory with Gale especially taking the game by the scruff of the neck. Lovodua looked impressive in the middle having been played at loose-forward whilst McIntosh was sprightly on the wing, finishing his try off very well.

3. Penalty clampdown

There were 16 penalties given this afternoon as referee Marcus Griffiths seemed determined to keep both sides on the straight and narrow. That made it for a stop-start game that never really got going with the conditions also playing a major part in hindering good rugby league.

Wakefield Trinity
1 Max Jowitt – 7
2 Tom Johnstone – 8
30 Corey Hall – 7
4 Reece Lyne – 7
5 Tom Lineham – 6
17 Lee Gaskell – 6
6 Jacob Miller – 6
10 Tinirau Arona – 6
9 Liam Hood – 7
35 David Fifita – 6
11 Matty Ashurst – 6
13 Jay Pitts – 6
14 Jordy Crowther – 7
Substitutes
8 Eddie Battye – 7
12 Kelepi Tanginoa – 6
16 James Batchelor – 6
19 Liam Kay – 6

Hull FC
1 Jake Connor – 5
2 Adam Swift – 7
23 Connor Wynne – 7
24 Cameron Scott – 6
5 Darnell McIntosh- 7
6 Josh Reynolds – 6
7 Luke Gale – 8
8 Ligi Sao – 8
9 Danny Houghton – 7
17 Brad Fash – 7
13 Jordan Lane – 6
11 Andre Savelio – 6
21 Jordan Johnstone – 6
Substitutes
10 Chris Satae – 7
14 Joe Lovodua – 9
20 Jack Brown – 6
28 Aidan Burrell – N/A