Hull FC dug deep to continue their fine start to the Super League season season as they beat Wakefield Trinity 16-12 at Belle Vue.
Here’s our verdict.
Action
This one was always going to a tightly contested fixture and it didn’t disappoint as both sides went at it hammer and tongs in front of a packed out Belle Vue crowd. It was Wakefield Trinity who got the scoreboard ticking over in West Yorkshire as Mason Lino punished Hull with his boot for an infringement in front of the sticks.
With their tails up, Daryl Powell’s side added six more to their score as Jack Croft powered over the line. Tom Johnstone was the man who laid the platform in the build up to the effort, breaking away down the middle, and Croft was there to finish the set, driving over from short range.
Wakefield thought they had sensational second as Josh Rourke showcased his pace and power to beat Logan Moy to a high kick and touch down, only to see play pulled back for offside.
Hull, who had seen Cade Cust leave the field through injury early in the contest, fought their way back into the contest, though, and managed to get their first points of the night through Herman Ese’ese. The big man fumbled the ball initially but collected it just in time to bump off two tacklers and touch down.
Wakefield saw further efforts from Johnstone and Mason Lino chalked off either side of half time, much to the frustration of the home support. The home side were shading the arm wrestle and for large parts of the second half, they were the side that looked capable of going on to win the contest.
That notion was blown wide open, though, when Aidan Sezer put Ed Chamberlain through a gap in the line with the centre putting on the afterburners to round the full-back and finish from 30 yards.
And, with Hull’s leadership and character coming to the fore once more, they found another. Sezer was the provider again, this time picking out the run of Lewis Martin with a perfectly weighted grubber, allowing the winger to touch down with ease.
Cam Scott made the most of a smart offload to drag Wakefield back to within a score with just over five minutes remaining. However, they didn’t have enough to give their fans the home win they crave.
Star man
Aidan Sezer. Produced the game winning moments for the Black and Whites in the second half by setting up tries for Ed Chamberlain and Lewis Martin. This is his team and with the captain pulling the strings, Hull are coming up trumps.
Good day for
Richie Myler. Eyebrows were raised with some of FC’s recruitment leading into the 2025 season, but the chief executive’s choices have been more than vindicated so far. In bringing in Zak Hardaker, John Asiata, Sezer, Jordan Rapana and others, he has built a side with the experience and character needed to dig out results when it matters.
Bad day for
Cade Cust. Left the field through injury inside the first few minutes and never returned. With some huge games coming up, Hull will be hoping their stand-off can shake off the issue.
Bigger picture
Another win for the Black and Whites as they build up momentum and confidence under John Cartwright and with a trip to Castleford Tigers to come next week, they’ll fancy their chances of being able to take this form into April at least.
Wakefield’s wait for a home win goes on, but Daryl Powell will be pleased with elements of his side’s performance against Hull and as they continue to find their feet back at the top level, there are positive signs for sure.
Teams
Wakefield Trinity: Josh Rourke; Oliver Pratt, Cam Scott, Corey Hall, Tom Johnstone; Mason Lino, Olly Russell; Mike McMeeken, Liam Hood, Caleb Hamlin-Uele, Jack Croft, Josh Griffin; Jay Pitts.
Bench: Ky Rodwell, Renouf Atoni, Harvey Smith, Caius Faatili.
Hull FC: Logan Moy; Jordan Rapana, Zak Hardaker, Tom Briscoe, Lewis Martin; Cade Cust, Aidan Sezer; Herman Ese’ese, Amir Bourouh, Liam Knight; Jed Cartwright, Jordan Lane, Josh Asiata.
Bench: Ed Chamberlain, Jack Ashworth, Brad Fash, Liam Watts.
