Credit to Hull, they looked sharp, says Last
CASTLEFORD Tigers head coach Andy Last praised his former club, Hull FC, following their 32-8 Challenge Cup victory on Sunday afternoon.
The Black and Whites scored six tries to book their passage to the last eight, but they know it was a depleted Castleford side and not a reflection of the team that pushed them all the way in the Super League opener back in February.
The West Yorkshire outfit had to rearrange their squad following an injury and illness crisis and were well beaten, not that it takes anything away from Tony Smith’s side.
Last was quick to point that out in a respectable account while also addressing the improvements his team needs to make.
“Credit to Hull FC,” Last said. “They looked sharp, and a couple of plays that they executed really challenged us. We just weren’t able to deal with them.
“In the first half, they exposed our right edge and the score-line got away from us in a 15-minute spell. There was a period there where it just blew out. The first try after halftime was a big one for confidence as well.
“We had injuries and illness, and we had to piece the team together. We had some players with some sickness. That impacts your energy levels. We tried to contain it.
“It’s quite clear that we’re not good enough at the moment. We’re low on confidence, we’ve got too many players out of form, and we’re just not quite as united and together as we need to be.
“That’s a challenge; we’ve got to remain positive, become tighter, and fight a little bit harder. That’s the only way our season will turn around.”
Last gave a debut to former FC half-back Jacob Hookem.
The 20-year-old, who played five times for the Black and Whites before joining his current club at the end of last year, came off the bench with the score-line already getting away from the Tigers.
“He did okay,” Last added. “Hull tested his physicality from a defensive point of view, but he showed some nice touches and came up with a couple of kick plays. He’ll be better for that experience.”