HULL FC 16 HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS 28
CALLUM WALKER, Brantingham Park, Elloughton, Sunday

HUDDERSFIELD spoiled Brad Fash’s testimonial party with an accomplished display as George Flanagan ran the show.

Flanagan enjoyed a breakthrough year for the Giants in 2025, scoring ten tries and kicking 44 goals in 25 appearances, and, on this performance, he will deliver some more magic in 2026.

It was Hull FC’s first action of the calendar year, whilst Huddersfield had overcome York Knights in Matty English’s testimonial game last weekend.

Arthur Romano, Connor Bailey, Sam Lisone and Harvie Hill all ran out for the first time for the Airlie Birds, with testimonial man Fash starting at loose-forward and a number of Academy and Reserves players filling the rest of Hull’s squad.

There was concern early on for John Cartwright, however, as Matty Laidlaw was on the receiving end of a huge hit from Huddersfield’s Fenton Rogers.

Laidlaw exited the field on his feet, but the second-rower didn’t return, with Yusuf Aydin taking his place after just five minutes.

There were early departures on both sides as Woody Potter came on for Lewis Jagger with the latter also having to leave the pitch.

But it was the Black and Whites first on the board when Elliot Middlemas gleefully caught a Callum Kemp chip over the top on 13 minutes after Joe Ward went close. Callum Kemp couldn’t convert as the hosts led 4-0.

Hull’s lead lasted just six minutes, though, as Rogers barged his way over from close range. Flanagan converted for a 6-4 lead.

And it was the Giants that continued the momentum, Marshall Land finding Jack Billington on a great line to dot down untouched with the half-hour in sight. This time Flanagan hit the post with the conversion, but the Giants still led 10-4.

The Black and Whites did manage to stem the tide just before half-time, Arthur Romano pouncing on another Callum Kemp grubber to grab his first Hull try. No conversion, however, meant that Huddersfield held a 10-8 lead after the first 40 minutes.

The Giants picked up where they left off in the first-half – in the ascendancy as Alex Chippendale weaved through out wide for a fine score immediately following the resumption. A superb Flanagan conversion made it 16-8.

But it was Middlemas for the Airlie Birds who reduced the deficit once more moments later, flying in at the corner, though Callum Kemp failed to hit the target for the conversion for the third time in succession.

Chippendale almost grabbed a second on the last tackle, but he was tackled short and, after the winger had been taken high, the Giants crossed again as the hour ticked by through a rampaging Tom Burgess. Flanagan’s conversion sent Huddersfield into a 22-12 lead.

The good play kept coming from the Giants and it was Flanagan pulling the strings with a brilliant offload giving Billington the space to create his second try with eight minutes to go. Flanagan converted expertly to make it 28-12.

And despite the Black and Whites having the last word with a Callum Kemp try, the Giants took home the spoils.

GAMESTAR: George Flanagan was here, there and everywhere for Huddersfield.

GAMEBREAKER: Jack Billington’s try eight minutes from time ensured the win for the Giants.

MATCHFACTS

HULL FC
1 Lloyd Kemp
2 Elliot Middlemas
3 Arthur Romano
4 Rio Kassim
5 Joe Ward
6 Connor Bailey
7 Callum Kemp
8 Sam Lisone
9 Will Hutchinson
10 Harvie Hill
11 Will Kirby
12 Matty Laidlaw
13 Brad Fash
Subs (all used)
14 Yusuf Aydin
15 Hugo Salabio
16 Jon Turner
17 Jordon Baker
18 Will Wilson
19 Finlay Davies
20 Kieran Calvert
21 Alistair Swyer
22 Caleb Palea’aesina
23 Tyler Eccles

Tries: Middlemas (13, 52), Romano (34), C Kemp (79)
Goals: C Kemp 0/3, Fash 0/1

GIANTS
21 George Flanagan
30 Roman Sharma
3 Taane Milne
19 Liam Sutcliffe
24 Connor Carr
27 Marshall Land
35 Lewis Jagger
14 Fenton Rogers
18 Kieran Rush
17 Joe Greenwood
23 Jack Billington
26 Archie Sykes
20 Mathieu Cozza
Subs (all used)
10 Tom Burgess
15 Matty English
16 George King
25 Jacob Algar
29 Monty Lumb
33 Tom Hardy
34 Alex Chippendale
36 Woody Potter
37 Zach Brown

Tries: Rogers (20), Billington (27, 70), Chippendale (43), Burgess (63)
Goals: Flanagan 4/5

SCORING SEQUENCE: 4-0, 4-6, 4-10, 8-10; 8-16, 12-16, 12-22, 12-28, 16-28

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Hull FC: Elliot Middlemas; Giants: George Flanagan

Half-time: 8-10
Referee: Marcus Griffiths