FC’S hard work rewarded
TONY Smith was once again happy with his side’s defensive effort as the foundation of another victory.
The Black and Whites defeated the Tigers 32-8 at Wheldon Road to book their quarter-final place.
Now set to host St Helens in the last eight, Hull were in complete control in West Yorkshire to make it four wins in a row in both competitions.
Smith was delighted with his side’s combinations, with Hull scrambling in defence and clicking in attack to post six tries on the board.
“It was pretty solid; I enjoyed the game in many respects, and I think the players did too,” Smith told the Mail.
“They had to work hard and dig deep, right from the first kick-off, but it got us in the right frame of mind. It wasn’t the ideal start to the game, defending our own line, but to come through that was a reward for the hard work they put in.
“I thought defensively we were pretty solid, and to only allow a try in each half was pretty good going. Combinations wise, both defensively and in attack, we’re getting better again.”
There’s no secret who the stars of the show were, with Smith proud of the contributions from his two halves, not to mention Tex Hoy at the back, who came back into the side after several weeks out injured.
“Jake Clifford was terrific, but I liked both of the Jake’s,” Smith continued. “I thought both went well. I like that they want to run with the ball, pass, offload, and defend. They both complemented each other well, and they took the pressure off each other as well.
“The other Jake, Trueman, went up a few levels from where he was the last game. With each hit out he’s had, he’s gotten better. Throw Tex (Hoy) in there too. He did some good things for us in attack.
“He’s still got a bit of work to do defensively, and he knows that. They all took some heat off the team, and they orchestrated things better for us around the park.”
Hull had a hat-trick from Adam Swift, with the winger also excelling with an influential display.
That was backed up with two second-half appearances for Will Gardiner and Nick Staveley on debut with Carlos Tuimavave and Danny Houghton taken off.
“Swifty was good,” Smith explained. “He’s full of energy — he always is. He runs his heart as much as he can. He gets to the point where he can hardly run any further, but he just keeps going.
“He’s strong and had some good reads. Both edges were good. We weren’t without fault but we were a lot better across the ball.
“They (Houghton and
Tuimavave) tightened up a bit in hot conditions. None of them are getting younger and the scoreline gave us a chance to do that. We had some young ones on the bench. Will Gardiner, it’s his birthday today; a bit of a late present. He got a late call-up as Ligi (Sao) had a grumble in his knee.
“Nick Staveley played his first game in first grade. He did well. Young Browny, too, got some valuable game time, which was good for him. He did some good stuff but he got a little sloppy at the end of his stints. That’s what he needs to work on; when he’s getting tired, it will be good for him.”
Another satisfactory result, it was a win to continue the positive atmosphere and mood around Hull right now, but yet again, it’s how cohesive they were that delighted Smith.
“We built on some of where we’ve been,” Smith added. “Sometimes you can have a slipup, but I think we’re getting better with our combinations and our understanding of what we’re doing with each other. As long as we’re doing those things, it gives us a chance. Hopefully, we can keep doing that.”