FC’S Griffin: We’ll have to step it up
JOSH Griffin insists Hull FC must up their game if they are to follow up on their hard-fought victory over London Broncos this weekend.
The Black and Whites were forced to work in order to get back to winning ways on Sunday, holding off a late fightback to pick up a 28-24 victory.
FC will attempt to build on the victory on Friday when high flyers Warrington Wolves travel to the KCOM Stadium, but Griffin, who scored two tries at the Trailfinders Sports Ground, insists the club must make improvements this week.
After holding off London with some last-ditch defending in the final moments, the centre insists a similarly slack defensive display just won’t do against Wolves who sit second in the Super League.
“We knew it would be a tough game,” Griffin said.
“I’m not so happy with the performance but to get the result was great. A lot of teams will come down here and not take the two points home, but we wasn’t at our best. We conceded some easy tries towards the end. We’ve got some work to do for Warrington.
“It’s a tough place to come, but we had a good 20 minutes in that second half and that’s all we needed, but we need to be a bit more clinical and ruthless.”
After seeing Jamie Shaul helped off the field with concussion at the start of the second half, Griffin was asked to fill in at full-back for the second time this season, having done so in the victory over Huddersfield at the start of the month.
With the Black and Whites having just a five-day turnaround between games Shaul will miss Friday’s clash, but Griffin insists he would be happy to fill in for the England international if needed.
“I enjoy it,” Griffin said of the fullback role. “It was a big blow losing Shaul and that’s the second time I’ve done it this season. It gives me a bit more freedom with the ball and have a bit of a rest defensively.
“My strong point is my carries so when I can have a rest it helps to boost my confidence a bit. It looks like we might end up losing Shaul because of the fiveday turnaround. Radders has got a few options, I don’t think Jake will make it but if I need to step back there I’m happy to do that. “I knew I had to have a big game this week. There’s some pressure coming on, Jake Connor’s not far away so I knew I needed a good performance.” Jake Connor
Lee Radford said in the build up his side would have to be prepared for an 80-minute battle and he was proved right.
Hull were made to work for their chances, particularly in the first half as the Broncos proved a handful, on and off the ball.
Hull pulled away in the second half, scoring 18 unanswered points, but Danny Ward’s spirited side fought back and could have won it.
Radford’s side showed bags of character to hold out for the win and coming away from Ealing that felt significant.
Radford will be delighted with his centre’s performances this season and once again he was in top form, with and without the ball.
A strong start saw Tuimavave assert his dominance over London’s line and he set the tone early by wrapping up Alex Walker and driving him back six metres after contact.
Stripping Elliot Kear of the ball in a dangerous position, he nearly had a try to show for his efforts in the first half, only to be halted close to the line. He did find the in-goal area with an angled run finding a hole in the line at the start of the second half.
The centre revealed ahead of facing Wakefield he feels he is still some way short of his best form, but he has been up there as one of the best backs in the league so far this season. If he has more to give then that is a tantalising prospect. Wakefield and Wigan have already fallen short of the mark in London and you can see why. Ward has built a gritty and determined outfit, packed full of talent who are eager to prove a point and are well-drilled. London didn’t produce jaw dropping plays close to the line, but found a way over through sheer tenacity and hard work and they will claim some more big scalps as they look to make their unique ground something of a fortress. Carlos Tuimavave
After avoiding an upset on Sunday, if Radford’s side are to do anything this year, the next three games look crucial.
Hull take on two of the Super League’s top four next in Warrington and Salford before going to France to take on Catalans.
On paper the visit of Steve Price’s Warrington looks the trickiest of the three, and after just a five-day turnaround the Black and Whites will be forced to dig deep if they are stop the Wolves in their tracks.
While Radford will want to see his side collect maximum points, he would surely be satisfied with two wins to keep the club on course for the play-offs.