Weekend Preview – 28th May 2021

Hull FC are the first of our local sides in action this weekend when they travel to St. Helens on Friday night. The Black and Whites will want to follow up their excellent defensive performance which helped secure an 18-12 win last time out against Leeds, at Headingly. Brett Hodgson has made just one change to his 21-man squad, prop Josh Bowden returns from an elbow injury replacing young full-back Connor Wynne. In form winger, Adam Swift will hope to continue his hot streak against his former club. St Helens suffered their first defeat of the season at the hand of the Catalans Dragons on Saturday. Explosive winger Regan Grace will be missing for the fixture after picking up a knock against the Dragons. This game has many implications for both sides league campaigns but is also a precursor to the Challenge Cup semi-final next Saturday in Leigh.

Beverley ARLFC will look to pick up where they left off after the victory over West Hull 20-6 last Saturday. Reporter Nick Robinson has more: The Blue and Golds will entertain Myton Warriors in a rearranged fixture at the Leisure Centre this Saturday (2.30 pm kick-off). Tony Spence described the fixture as a potential banana skin. He said ”We must maintain our attitude and focus after last week’s epic victory as this week will be no less tough against a side a division higher.” He will definitely be without Alex Calvert and Josh Poskitt (wedding and holidays). He will also be waiting on the fitness of a few others who suffered bumps and bruises last week. Notably: Louis Hubbard, Dave Smart (both ribs), Lewis Straw (neck) and Jake Hart-Fisher (calf). Saturday will feature a doubleheader as the ‘A’ team will be taking on Kingswood Knights in a 12noon kick-off.

Beverley Town CC will have a tough task when they visit Sessay this weekend. After a slow start to the season, Beverley has hit some good form including a victory over Hull Zingari by 46 runs last time out, which made it two wins from two. Good weather is forecast so one hopes for no postponements this weekend whether in Beverley where the 2nds and 4ths will play or Thirsk which is near where Sessay CC are based.

Driffield Town CC contrastingly have dipped in form after a good start to their year. This weekend they have plenty of opportunities to make amends for the 6 wicket defeat to Yorkshire Academy in their previous game. The bank holiday weekend sees Driff play three games in three days. Saturday Town host a Sheriff Hutton Bridge side who have lost four of their last five. Sunday they travel to Clifton Alliance CC who are almost in equally poor form. Latterly they travel to Dunnington on Monday, Dunnington ahead of the weekend has three wins from four.

Hull Kingston Rovers welcome back fans to Craven Park for the first time since March 2020, when they host Leigh on Sunday. The last time the two sides met was one of the last sporting fixtures in the UK before the countries first full lockdown, the Robins won in that Challenge Cup game, through a late Nick Rawsthorne try. For the second game in a row Rovers face a side without a win all season, Tony Smith and his men will hope for a far better result after the defeat to Wakefield 28-12. Korbin Sims was sent off against Trinity but since has had his red card and suspension revoked making him available for selection. King and Hadley are both doubts for the game with injuries but have both been named in the 21-man squad. Leigh Centurians have had a rough ride since returning to Super League but will be targeting this game for a potential win. There is further incentive found from the visitors as several first-teamers plied their trade in East Hull in previous seasons.

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

Reported by: Simon Bromwich