Match Report: Hull FC 24-22 Wigan Warriors

The Black & Whites held off a late Wigan comeback against the Warriors on Saturday afternoon with a memorable 24-22 victory to maintain back-to-back home wins against Matt Peet’s side.

First-half scores from Jack Walker, Liam Sutcliffe and Davy Litten put FC in a commanding position before the break, while Denive Balmforth’s try just after the restart put the result seemingly in Hull’s hands.

But the Warriors hit back late on with Brad O’Neill, Liam Marshall and Zak Eckersley setting up a nervy finish at the MKM Stadium. But Simon Grix’s side held on for their third home win of the season.

Team news

Simon Grix made four changes to the side that lined up in the derby seven days ago.

Ed Chamberlain and King Vuniyayawa both came into the side after signing loan deals with the club during the week.

Jack Walker made his first Super League appearance in over two months, replacing Logan Moy.

Davy Litten came on at center for Carlos Tuimavave.

Brad Fash also misses out this week, with young striker Matty Laidlaw replacing him.

Tiaki Chan was ineligible to play against his parent club.

Match

Hull FC started the match promisingly with ball in hand. A great first set and kick chase saw the Warriors locked in their own half which was followed by an error in a positive start for the black and whites.

It was Hull who had the first real opportunity and took it. Martin beat Keighran on a kick from Trueman and tossed it back into the arms of Jack Walker for the opening score. Jack Charles overturned the extras. Things almost got better, with Trueman’s shot in the next set within striking distance of a 40/20.

FC went close again on ten minutes, Jack Walker sent Jack Charles one-on-one with the defender, but the pass was ruled as forward.

Attack was then turned into defence, with tackles Liam Farrell and Harry Smith denying two potential tries from the visitors in Hull’s decisive first test.

However, Wigan scored on 15 minutes. A cross down the left saw Liam Marshall sent in for a try. The conversion was higher than the target.

Grix’s team had an immediate chance for an answer, however, after a Marshall beat on their own line and they took it. Straight from the scrum, Sutcliffe found a gap in the line and scored under the posts. Charles was on target with his boot.

FC had another good chance to score points soon after a high tackle by Wigan and then a goal line break. However, an error let Matt Peet’s side slip away.

Hull were again tested in defense with a quick attack from the visitors after half an hour. It was Jack Walker who came through this time with the try saver on Junior Nsemba.
FC had their third try in the next set. A wonderful cross field kick from Jake Trueman was well taken and put down by Davy Litten. Charles maintained his 100% record with the boot.

Tyler Dupree was sent off for a high tackle with five to go in the half and the resulting penalty put Hull back on the front foot. It was another cross from Trueman, but this time it was a shot in the air.

Wigan ended the half with a potential try but after a video review by the referee it was disallowed.

Half time: Hull FC 18-4 Wigan Warriors

Hull had their first real chance of the second forty. An incredible break from Yusuf Aydin put Hull in good field position before Denive Balmforth finished off a well-worked move near the posts. Charles extended Hulls lead to 20.

A chance from Marshall saw Hull FC have another chance a few minutes later, but this time it was to no avail as the visitors intercepted a pass wide. It didn’t take long for FC to have another opportunity, with Denive Balmforth driving from the idle half and held over the line just after 50 minutes.

Wigan had a chance to pull one back in the next set with an acrobatic effort from Miski, but a fantastic cover tackle compensated him on the wing and forced a kick in the act of scoring.

Simon Grix’s side had another chance as the game headed into the final quarter when a Warriors pass found touch but could not make way for his fifth score of the afternoon. Ligi Sao came close in the next set, but was unable to break even.

The Warriors built sustained pressure on the FC line in the next few minutes with Liam Farrell going close but Denive Balmforth intercepted his pass. However, they got a try a few games later through Brad O’Neill before Keighran added the extras. The visitors went close in the next few sets, which were full of expansive rugby, but could not get over the line.

Jack Charles put Hull out of danger with a break from the Wigan half, before a knock on from Mago saw the All Blacks create another great opportunity in the final ten minutes. Nothing came of it as Lewis Martin was pushed into contact by Liam Marshall on the left wing.
Davy Litten was taken for a tackle in the next set and Hull were made to pay for the error. From the resulting penalty, the ball was moved out wide to Liam Marshall, who rounded the defender for the try. Keighran converted the try.

It was back-to-back tries for the visitors. Zach Eckersley finished off a Wigan break to score just wide of the posts. Keighran converted the try to cut the gap to two with less than five minutes to go.

Wigan almost stole the win two minutes from time, cutting inside the box into space, before a kick gave the ball back to Hull. Wigan had one last try but failed to score and Hull held on for a massive win.

Full time: Hull FC 24-22 Wigan Warriors

teams

Hull FC: Jack Walker, Tom Briscoe, Davy Litten, Liam Sutcliffe, Lewis Martin, Jake Trueman, Jack Charles, Herman Ese’ese, Morgan Smith, Ligi Sao, Jordan Lane, Ed Chamberlain, Yusuf Aydin.

Subs: Denive Balmforth, Will Gardiner, Matty Laidlaw, King Vuniyayawa

18th Man: Harvey Barron

Wigan Warriors: Zach Eckersley, Abbas Miski, Adam Keighranm, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Jack Farrimond, Harry Smith, Ethan Havard, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis.

Subs: Liam Byrne, Patrick Mago, Tyler Dupree, Sam Walters

18th man: Harvie Hill

The markers

Hull FC Tries: Walker (5), Sutcliffe (20), Litten (31), Balmforth (42)

Hull FC conversions: Charles (5, 21, 32, 43)

Wigan Warriors tries: Marshall (15, 72), O’Neill (62), Eckersley (74)

Wigan Warriors conversions: Keighran (63, 73, 75)

Rowe Man of the Match: Jack Walker