GR-EIGHT JOY FOR CHESTER AS TRIN GRIN
CHRIS CHESTER allowed himself a rare smile as 12-try Wakefield achieved their biggest Super League win to guarantee a top-eight finish.
In contrast, FC boss Lee Radford was forced to “apologise wholeheartedly” to Hull fans after the club’s worst defeat in the competition.
Wakefield’s win also ensured champions Leeds Rhinos are bound for a second relegation fight in three seasons.
“I know I don’t smile a great deal but I am smiling now,” said Chester, whose side ended an eight-game, three-year losing streak against Hull.
“It feels like someone has stuck a pin in me and all the pressure is off.
“We always felt comfortable going into the game but we didn’t expect that scoreline. It was beyond my wildest expectations.”
Wakefield’s win was masterminded by ex-Hull halfback Jacob Miller who touched down twice and fellow playmaker Ryan Hampshire, who kicked 12 goals from 13 attempts.
Reece Lyne, another former Black and Whites cast-off, also scored two tries along with Ben Jones-Bishop and Pauli Pauli.
Hull’s chances of a top-four finish after the Super Eights look even more remote after their historic defeat. Radford recalled Marc Sneyd for the first time in 10 matches plus Fetuli Talanoa, Jamie Shaul and Joe Westerman.
Shaul and Westerman failed to finish the game while Bureta Faraimo took over Sneyd’s goal-kicking duties when Hull FC finally broke their points duck late on through Liam Harris and Faraimo.
“Would I change some of the decisions in selections – possibly,” admitted Radford. “Would the outcome be any different, I’m not sure. But I apologise wholeheartedly and I promise we will work hard in putting pride back in our badge against Hull KR on Friday.
“However, I take full responsibility for that defeat. I rolled the dice with four or five players in terms of fitness but clearly you could see they weren’t quite ready to come back.”