HAT-TRICK hero Harvey Barron says honesty was the best policy to end Hull FC’s run of defeats.
After losing seven on the spin – and eleven in twelve – Hull triumphed 32-18 at St Helens on Thursday night.
That was down in no small part to Barron, who bagged his first career treble on the right wing.
The 23-year-old said: “We were really desperate (for the win).
“You could see with the celebrations at the end that we really needed that, not just for us but the fans and everyone at the club.
“It’s a big weight off us – but we want to keep striving for more.”
Asked how the Hull camp has been throughout a torrid period, Barron added: “It’s been very honest.
“There have been a lot of honest conversations, not only with each other but as a group, with the coaches. It’s been a real eye opener for everyone.
“We stripped it back to basics and it paid off.”
Barron’s first hat-trick came in his 58th Hull appearance, the Academy product having made his debut in 2022 then become a regular in 2024, when the club only avoided bottom place on points difference.
“It’s been similar in terms of the results, but not in terms of the quality we’ve had – 2024 was tough but we had a lot of young boys in there and we were getting beaten pretty badly,” he said.
“This year is different because we’ve still got that quality of player in the team. We just weren’t clicking for a full 80 minutes.”
Barron’s now on eleven tries for the season, four shy of his record last season.
He added: “There were some rough years at the start (of my career) but I’ve been working hard physically, and on the field to be smarter with how I play.
“I feel a lot better this year and hopefully I can build on that.”
Interim Hull coach Andy Last still feels there is more to come from a winger with “huge potential”.
Last said: “Physically he’s very strong, he’s really matured and he’s gone from boy to man, so to speak.
“He trains really hard in the gym. He made a real focus to lift heavy and he looks a picture of health – he’s six-foot-four, ripped to pieces, he’s got the big broad shoulders and the skinny waist.
“He’s a good player and he’s doing a good job. I’m pleased for him – it’s one of those moments he’ll look back and be able to tell his kids, that he scored a hat-trick of tries against St Helens.”