Weekend Preview – 18th June 2021

This weekend we have four local sides playing. Hull KR and Hull FC both have games on the road in the Super League. Beverley Town CC have two fixtures whilst Driffield Town CC have just one this weekend. New contracts have been signed at FC and KR and Hull City have made their third signing of the summer.

Hull Kingston Rovers travel to Wigan Warriors on Friday evening. The Robins will hope to continue the excellent form in attack scoring 40 points in each of the last two games. The defence also impressed in the last victory against Salford, holding out the Red Devils for 74 minutes. Tony Smith has Albert Vete available again following his return from injury. Jordan Abdull, George Lawler and Dean Hadley all retain their places in the squad despite suffering knocks last time out. Mikey Lewis is likely to start with Rowan Milnes missing from the 21-man squad. Wigan had their fixture versus Huddersfield postponed, prior to that the Warriors lost for the first time in the league this season 48-0 away at Catalans Dragons. Zak Hardaker is suspended and a big loss for the hosts but Oliver Gildart and Liam Marshall both return, neither have made an appearance this season.
This week has also seen the Robins extend the contracts of captain Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Kane Linnett by a season. Linnett was the 2020 player of the season and both players have been key components on the left edge so far this season for Tony Smith’s men.

Hull FC return to the field this weekend on Saturday afternoon. The Black and White’s had arguably their best performance of the season away in the victory over Castleford last Thursday. Brett Hodgson however has a raft of injuries, so much so only 18 men have been named in what is usually a 21-man squad. Nine first-team injuries means there is depth lacking in the squad but FC still look strong even without the likes of recent injuries Carlos Tuimavave and Josh Griffin. Mitieli Vulikijapani is likely to make a debut due to absentees in the outside back roles. Leigh are without a victory all season since joining the Super League, on several occasions running sides close. Catalans were almost recipients of a shock in the last fixture.
Chris Satae signed a new two-year contract at Hull FC on Thursday night. The influential Tongan forward has been a big force in the Black and Whites pack since joining in 2019. Satae has been ever-present this season and will be at the KCOM until 2023.

Beverley Town CC are hoping to return to winning ways with two games this weekend. In the last fixture, they were defeated by Folkston & Flixton. Saturday, Beverley host the out of form Pickering and Sunday, Town travel to York CC to compete with the seconds. Driffield Town CC only have one fixture, after last weekend losing in the league and progressed to the Viking Cup quarter-finals. Driff are visiting Stamford Bridge CC, both teams are struggling for consistency.

Hull City have made their third transfer of the summer. The Tigers have signed winger Randell Williams on a free transfer from Exeter City. Williams had been near the top of Grant McCann’s shopping list last summer without success. The 24-year-old signs a two-year deal following a two and a half year stay in the South West. His stand out season for the Grecians was 2019/20 when he was named Player of the Season as Exeter reached the League Two play-off final and also won their Goal of the Season award.

And finally, if you missed Tom Cavanagh speaking with Rich Jagger of Beverley Town on the Thursday Night Fixture, click here, to listen back on the developments at Town, including the newly approved floodlights for their home at Norwood.

Find all of last weeks results and round-up, here.