Hull looking muddy good
THERE will be a time to evaluate the title-winning credentials of Hull but it was not yesterday, when they claimed victory in atrocious conditions that were a throwback to days of old.
Not many matches have taken place on a mudbath since the formation of the Super League and switch to summer rugby in 1996.
At a bitterly cold, rain-lashed Belle Vue, there was no mistaking the difficulties both sides faced in controlling the ball. That the contest was decided by a handling error was almost to be expected.
Wakefield, one of the stories of last season when they finished in the top eight and reached the Challenge Cup semi-finals, led 8-6 with eight minutes remaining.
Hull playmaker Marc Sneyd then flighted a last-tackle kick behind the home defence.
The ball was spilled by Ben Jones-Bishop and Hull replacement Jake Connor pounced to score on his debut and give his team an advantage they did not surrender.
It felt cruel on Wakefield, whose spirit and endeavour could not be faulted, but Hull boss Lee Radford was certainly not complaining.
Radford, who also handed debuts to Albert Kelly and Josh Griffin, said: “We’ve had these conditions in Hull all week, so we ran through it on Monday and Tuesday and I thought we really saw the benefits of that. What we set about doing was making sure we fought, scratched and bit way upfield to try to snag something.
“For them to buy into that and be as patient as they were was really pleasing. We snagged a try off Sneyd’s boot and managed to do enough to bring the game home.”
Radford added: “If they can just listen to their coach like that for the rest of the year then we shouldn’t be far off.”
Wakefield lost prop Anthony England with concussion early on and Matty Ashurst followed in the second half.
Yet Chris Chester’s side, who have dropped the Wildcats monicker this season and reverted back to the traditional name of Wakefield Trinity, pushed highly fancied Hull all the way.
Three penalties from Sneyd put Hull 6-2 ahead at the break before Scott Grix, one of Wakefield’s winter signings, grounded his own kick to put the hosts ahead in the 44th minute.
Chester, whose team went agonisingly close to a matchwinning score from Grix late on, said: “Both teams need a round of applause because it was a tough game out there between two physical sides.
“I’ve learnt a lot about my players and they wanted to try to grind out a win.
“I’m proud of the performance. We just came up a little short.” WAKEFIELD – Try: Grix. Goals: Williams (2). HULL – Try: Connor. Goals: Sneyd (4).