 After the east side of the city went into eighth spot last night, the Black and Whites of Hull needed a win to re-establish themselves in the super eights. But they were up against a new look Wildcats with their ranks swelled by new signings in Kevin Locke, Jordan Tansey and Michael Sio but still missing several influential players including Smith, Lauitiiti and Kirmond.
FC chose to rest several first teamers (Whiting, Pryce and Minichiello) as they played their second game of three in nine days, a calculated gamble from Lee Radford against a team looking for their first win in seventeen games, and a chance to get a winning habit before the all-important middle eights competition.
It took just a couple of minutes for Kirk Yeaman to open the scoring for FC thanks to a run and pass from Jordan Abdull. It was a simple conversion for Jordan Rankin.
On seven minutes Liam Watts hit a gap and then stepped past the last line of defence to ground under the sticks and give Rankin another simple conversion. The new look Wildcats had got off to the worst possible start.
On eighteen Jordan Rankin muscled his way over the line off a Danny Houghton pass. This time Rankin failed to convert his own try but it was all one-way traffic and was already starting to look like a lost cause for the home side.
On thirty-four Wakefield finally got over the whitewash when Jacob Miller stepped off both feet, several times, to round half a dozen FC attempted tackles and dive over under the sticks. He converted his own try to reduce the margin to ten points and send his side into the interval with some hope of a second half comeback.
Within five minutes of the restart the home side were back within a converted try after Pita Godinet ran the ball in and Kevin Locke put Richard Owen over in the corner. Miller converted brilliantly from the touchline for 16-12.
On fifty-four the Wildcats drew level after a Locke break, a scrappy passage of play, and Joe Arundel finding his way over the line off a bounced pass, carrying Abdull with him. Miller failed to add the extras but after being totally outplayed on the opening twenty the home side had fought back brilliantly.
Wakefield next took advantage of a high tackle on Reece Lyne for Miller to kick the goal and take a two point lead.
With ten minutes left on the clock Matt Ryan managed to find his way through the FC defence after Wakefield opted to run a penalty. Miller took his time and kicked the extras for an eight point margin.
Seconds out from the hooter and Miller kicked a penalty from in-front of the posts and twenty-metres out.
This was a tremendous fightback from the Wildcats who showed a determination so often missing during this disappointing season. After being 16-0 down they scored twenty-six unanswered points to take a famous win which will give their players a massive boost ahead of the middle eights.
Lee Radford must be wondering what damage his team selection may have done to FC's season as they are now in the catch-up position, requiring the clubs above them to slip up over the coming weeks. The Hull derby on the 17th July is looking increasingly like a play-off for the top eight.
Wildcats: Locke, Owen (T), Arundel (T), Lyne, Tansey, Godinet, Miller (T, 5G), Scruton, McShane, Simon, Ryan (T), Kirke, Molloy. Subs: Washbrook, Annakin, Sio, Kavanagh.
FC: Shaul, Naughton, Taloana Yeaman (T), Michaels, Rankin (T, 2G), Abdull, Paea, Houghton, Watts (T), Ellis, Sa, Westerman. Subs: Thompson, Bowden, Thompson, Green.
Referee: Joe Cobb
Attendance: 3,543 |
