Super FC seal play-off semi-final spot with shock win over Wolves
ONLY WIGAN CAN STOP HULL FROM REACHING KCOM GRAND FINAL
Hull FC overcame all the odds at the Halliwell Jones Stadium to stun Warrington Wolves and seal their place in the play-off semi-finals with a 27-14 win.
Here’s the verdict.
Analysis
Eight months after Warrington Wolves ended Lee Radford’s tenure at Hull FC with a KCOM Stadium drubbing, Andy Last saw his own credentials to be Radford’s long term successor strengthened in some style.
An outstanding display by his Black and Whites outfit saw them run out deserving winners to book a date next Thursday at Wigan Warriors in the play-off semi-finals.
Just J 80 minutes stand between
Matty Ashton opens Wolves’ account
Hull and a Grand Final showdown at their own home. And on this evidence, the underdogs will fancy their chances of biting again next week.
Few were giving Hull a chance ahead of the clash, but the Black and Whites travelled with
Tries: Faraimo, Cator, Satae, Connor; Goals: Sneyd 5/5; DG: Sneyd
Joe Cator celebrates Hull FC’S second try confidence of upsetting the odds.
They were the form side in the regular season leading into the playoffs and with four wins coming from their last five games, they weren’t lacking the belief needed to beat a side who had narrowly been pipped to the League Leaders’ Shield.
It was an intense start with both teams going at it hammer and tongs, Warrington pushed towards the
Hull line but FC pushed back in defence and the boot of Marc Sneyd was putting Stefan Ratchford under pressure.
The home side came closest to opening the scoring, though, in the opening 10 minutes as Jack Hughes looked to force his way over, only for r replays to show he dropped the ball o over the line.
Toby King came close to the line a after breaking through only to be pulled back by Carlos Tuimavave and the Black and Whites made their hosts pay for their wasted chances.
Mahe Fonua almost opened the s scoring but was held up and a c couple of minutes later Hull were charging through Warrington’s right edge. Jake Connor stepped off his right foot, switched play to the short side and Bureta Faraimo was waiting on the flank to power home.
Steve Price’s side hit back quickly as Matty Ashton squeezed home in the corner and the home side took the lead due to some fine play.
Ben Currie and King combined to drive Warrington towards the line, Widdop looked wide and picked out the leaping Anthony Gelling with a cross-field kick and despite the attention of Sneyd and Josh Griffin, the Cook Islands international touched down.
But, FC’S heads didn’t drop and they found a second of the night as Connor’s grubber caught out Warrington and after bouncing over the head of Ratchford, the ball was placed down by the grateful Joe Cator.
As half-time loomed Sneyd showed his experience by slotting a one-pointer.
And, straight after the break, Hull stretched their lead as Connor danced down the line before putting Chris Satae through a hole in the line and over.
Warrington wouldn’t go away, though, and they hit back once more through Ashton in the corner and with that they seized momentum.
But, just as they were beginning to look drained, Hull won a penalty in front of Warrington’s sticks and Sneyd did the rest to leave Wolves needing to score twice in the last 10 minutes.
And in the closing minutes Hull made sure of it as Currie dropped the ball over his own line and Connor touched it down.
Key moment
After an encouraging first half, Hull came out for the second half and struck first through Chris Satae to really seize control of the scoreboard and Warrington never recovered.
Good day for
Marc Sneyd. The half-back called on every ounce of his experience to run the game and dictate play. He kicked superbly, called every play and produced the goods.
Bad day for
The doubters. Hull weren’t given a chance in these play-offs, but they sit just one win from a Grand Final. League Leaders’ Shield winners Wigan Warriors stand in their way, but who would back against them now?
Bigger picture
The show goes on! Hull FC will travel to the DW Stadium next Thursday and they’ll be riding a wave of confidence.
They’ve shown they can compete against the big boys, but the job isn’t done yet.
Matty Ashton goes over for his second try