FIVE OF HULL’S BEST IN FRANCE
HULL FC travel to Perpignan to face Catalans Dragons and they’ll be desperate to pick up two points in the Mediterranean sunshine.
The Black and Whites fell short last time out against Wakefield Trinity and they’ll be in a determined mood to set the record straight when they go to the Stade Gilbert Brutus.
Perpignan can be a notoriously tricky place to go, with Steve Mcnamara’s side building their recent success around their home form. However, Hull fans have had some memorable trips to the south of France over the years and we’ve taken a look at five of the best.
June 22 2019 Catalans 10-50 Hull FC
FC’S last win in Perpignan was certainly a special one as Lee Radford’s Black and Whites turned on the style to score eight tries. FC fell behind as Sam Tomkins went over for Catalans, but it wasn’t long before they were level as Albert Kelly touched down.
From there FC were never going to be stopped. Joe Westerman, Andre Savelio and Josh Griffin found success before the break and their dominance continued into the second half as Kieran Buchanan, Griffin, Ratu Naulago and Jamie Shaul all scored.
There was some try of the season contenders in there, too, with Griffin finishing a sublime team effort before Naulago went the length of the field.
April 13 2019 Catalans 30-31 Hull FC
This one was a piece of Marc Sneyd genius as FC came from behind to win in golden point.
Griffin scored twice, with efforts also coming from Jack Brown, on his debut, Connor Wynne and Bureta Faraimo, but Catalans thought they had snatched it when Sam Kasiano went over late.
Sneyd had other ideas, though, tempting Brayden Wiliame into taking in his restart before it had gone 10m. The scrum-half levelled the scores from the resulting penalty and he kicked off extra time by ensuring his restart bounced into touch.
That gave Hull the field position needed to slot the one-pointer and break the hearts of the Dragons.
February 13 2016 Catalans 10-38 Hull FC
The 2016 season has a special place in the hearts of Hull fans and it all started with back-to-back results, against Salford at the MKM and Catalans at the Stade Gilbert Brutus. It was FC’S first league win in France in six years and they certainly enjoyed claiming it, recording seven tries.
Fetuli Talanoa grabbed two of them. The winger got the scoreboard ticking over in the eighth minute before going over once more in the 63rd.
Sika Manu, Josh Bowden, Jack Logan, Gareth Ellis and Jamie Shaul also touched down, with more than 10,000 in attendance.
July 13 2013 Catalans 13-24 Hull FC
FC secured their first Challenge Cup semi-final spot in five years as they edged their way home in front of 6,000 fans. The Black and Whites led by a solitary point at half-time thanks to a try from Shannon Mcdonnell and a penalty from Danny Tickle. However, Peter Gentle’s FC were able to stretch their legs in the second half and they cruised home with another try from Mcdonnell, as well as efforts from Tom Lineham and Tom Briscoe.
FC progressed all the way to the final that year, seeing off Warrington Wolves in the final four.
April 22 2006 Catalans 28-34 Hull FC
This was Hull’s first ever trip to Catalans and the game was played at the Stade Aime Giral, the home of rugby union outfit USA Perpignan. It was a new experience for travelling supporters, too, and they were treated to a thriller.
Kirk Yeaman scored a hat-trick, while Nathan Blacklock got two and Richard Horne one, to give FC, who were coached by interim boss Richard Agar at the time, the points. Michael Dobson, Jamal
Fakir, Gregory Mounis, Justin Murphy and Sean Rudder all scored for Catalans, but it wasn’t enough to see off Hull, who went on to win 14 of their next 15 Super League games.