Positivity prevails as Hull strive to hit back

HULL FC V CASTLEFORD TIGERS

THURSDAY night games are not always welcomed by some Super League players but for Scott Taylor and his Hull FC side, tonight’s cannot come soon enough.

That might sound strange given the Airlie Birds are on a 12-match losing run dating back to last July, the last of which was a heartbreaking last-minute loss at derby rivals Hull KR in Friday’s dramatic season opener.

However, there was enough evidence in that 18-16 defeat at Craven Park to suggest Lee Radford’s side are not far from where they need to be to emerge from the rut so this evening’s visit of Castleford Tigers is welcome.

Speaking to The Yorkshire Post, vice-captain Taylor admitted: “It doesn’t matter if it was the derby or whether it was Catalans, St Helens or whoever.

“Whenever you lose a game like that – with the very final play – it’s frustrating after all the effort we’d put into the game.

“But we know we came up short and you have to move on quickly and get over it. It’s a tough game with Cas coming up but we’re taking all the positives out of last week’s performance and there were plenty. We need to be a bit more clinical in certain areas but our passion, energy and that scramble to defend our line was second to none.

“We need to take that in to face a well-organised, structured opponent. We still have confidence; there’s positivity around the place even though this is going on.

“Me and Danny Houghton have been focusing on keeping the buzz and keeping it bouncing.”

Castleford started with an efficient 20-4 win over Challenge Cup