Castleford Tigers 12-30 Hull FC

Last night saw Hull FC return to Super League action. A trip to Challenge Cup finalist Castleford Tigers, who last weekend had beaten Warrington to progress to Wembley. Hull had lost the other semi-final to St Helens 33-18 with a disappointing end, to an almost great comeback. The Black and Whites were without Josh Griffin who now faces the remainder of the season on the sidelines after his ruptured Achilles, Bureta Faraimo returned to the wing with Mahe Fonua stepping in at left centre. Cas had suffered several minor knocks and niggles from their semi-final win and had a rotated side that did not include star half-back, Jake Trueman.

It was a nightmare start for Hull as Castleford’s debutant winger Jason Qareqare scored with less than 60 seconds on the clock. The 17-year-old winger scored with his first touch of the ball. From that point, FC dominated large swathes of the game in both defence and attack. Adam Swift had the simple task of scoring his first try of the game after some excellent expansive rugby from the front row before Mahe Fonua created space for his winger to walk the ball home. Fonua was on the scoresheet on the stroke of half-time, Sneyd’s high kick collected by Connor who caught and passed in one delightful motion leaving the Tigers defence standing and Fonua with a walk-in to give the visitors a 12-6 lead at the break.

Brett Hodgson’s men added to their advantage in the opening minutes of the second half. Adam Swift touched down in the corner after good work from Sneyd and Connor linking up once again. Fonua scored for the second time in the game after the two half-backs combined, the stand-in centre powered his way through the line to give Hull a healthy lead. Even when down to 12 men FC managed to score, Marc Sneyd was sin-binned as the game became more niggly throughout. Jake Connor had previously been provider, on this occasion showing great strength against a tiring defence. The hosts did manage a consolation Oli Holmes scoring from short range. Castleford looked weary and understrength for the most part, despite being in a Challenge Cup final their league form could see them miss out on the play-offs. It was Hull’s night as they returned to winning ways. The left edge looked unstoppable at times with Fonua and Swift both getting two tries apiece.

Report by: Simon Bromwich

Castleford Tigers 12 (6)
Tries: Qareqare, Holmes. Goals: Richardson 2.

Hull FC 30 (12)
Tries: Swift 2, Fonua 2, Connor. Goals: Sneyd 4, Connor.

Published: 11th June 2021