Hull FC were trounced 40-0 by Wigan Warriors in Scott Taylor’s testimonial match. The Black and Whites battled hard in the first half, but were defeated by the Super League champions’ excellent second half performance. Hull Live examines several key topics.
It’s easy to draw one conclusion from the outcome, but Hull FC still had things to work on against a tough and well-drilled Wigan outfit. The first half was a highly contested affair. It was a physical game, with both sides going at it. Hull, headed by Danny Houghton, may have had the advantage in the first forty minutes. They had better field position and should have scored more points, but they stayed in the game and only let up one try due to a mistake that should have been prevented.
To be honest, the huge males were rock-solid. Franklin Pele and Herman Ese’ese played significant and effective minutes, demonstrating exactly what they will be about this season. Jack Ashworth also played back row and prop, while Jack Brown was a force off the bench, finding offloads and making an impact. Jayden Okunbor, on the right edge, also had some strong carries in the first half. The pack provided some encouragement, but also served as a reminder of the work that remained to be done.
Following a strong first half, Hull’s start to the second set the tone for what came next. They committed cheap mistakes and gave Wigan field position, which they quickly converted into points. The champions also shown their talent, reacting better to the numerous changes than Hull, although they were clearly helped by a drop-off from their hosts, who were less neat in touch and let the Warriors to dominate the pace of the ruck.
It was frustrating, especially after being with Wigan for so long. Of course, this is pre-season, and the number of changes we witnessed here do not occur in a competitive game, but it still serves as a valuable lesson in what may happen when you turn off. Hull just didn’t have the ball in the second half, and they were punished for it. Wigan, on the other hand, increased their intensity and achieved the desired outcome.
