Imperfect ten as FC let win slip from grasp

DEFENSIVE FRAILTY ALLOWS DRAGONS TO SNATCH VICTORY AT KCOM STADIUM

Tries: Griffin, Fash, Talanoa, Shaul; Goals: Connor 2/4

You could feel the desperation in the air. Nine games into a record losing streak and Hull FC were so close to finally winning a match until it was taken from them.

Despite being their own worst enemy throughout a mildly entertaining contest at the KCOM Stadium, Hull led 20-16 with less than ten minutes remaining.

Even coach Lee Radford was revelling in a brief moment of delight after Jamie Shaul gave FC the lead: “I had two minutes of ecstasy, something I’ve not had for a while. It was a good two minutes,” said Radford.

But that’s all it was for the Black and Whites and they can only have themselves to blame for their 26-20 defeat when they look in the mirror this week.

For all the effort and endeavour throughout the contest, errors deep in enemy territory meant Hull didn’t make this a comfortable win before the Dragons exposed FC defensively to steal victory.

The tries conceded were so soft. Not just poor defensively, but men against boys as the saying goes and incidents that should never be seen at the top level.

If Tony Gigot’s first-half try was woeful to concede, Kenny Edwards’ long-range winner wasn’t much better.

Brayden Wiliame had got Catalans level before the big prop Edwards broke through the line with ease and rampaged over from 30 metres out.

There have been plenty of excuses this season for the club’s losing streak but Attendance: 10,567 questions will naturally be asked internally after another victory fell by the wayside.

The off-season will no doubt be one of reflection and working out how to improve and for FC, who have one match left at Wigan Warriors next week, it cannot come soon enough.

Hull earned the first good opportunity of the match but set the tone of the first half by wasting it.

Penalties had put the Black and Whites in great field position before Dean Hadley produced a great offload only for Shaul to spill the ball just shy of the line.

Scott Taylor and Hakim Miloudi broke up field shortly after but the promising set was halted when Danny Houghton was tackled on the last.

FC then lost Hadley as he went for a concussion test, with Hull choosing to switch Houghton into a ball-playing role as Jez Litten came on at hooker. Houghton would later return to hooker, while Hadley failed his head assessment.

Hull continued the pressure but poor decision making held them back from scoring, with Catalans showing the hosts how to be clinical in their first real attacking set. Lucas Albert provided the short ball and Sam Moa crashed over from close range.

Josh Drinkwater converted for a 6-0 lead before Hull again had a whole host of chances. Litten and Miloudi passed forward in promising positions as Catalans held firm.

Hull continued to enjoy good field