WAKEFIELD TRINITY 12 HULL FC 16
STEPHEN IBBETSON, DIY Kitchens Stadium, Friday
HULL FC came from behind to beat Wakefield and continue their revival under John Cartwright.
Ed Chamberlain and Lewis Martin tries in the final quarter saw Hull home after trailing for much of a gripping game between two Yorkshire clubs on the up.
Hull now have seven points from five matches – one more than they achieved across the entire season in 2024.
Wakefield had enjoyed a fantastic start, including the opening points inside four minutes via a Mason Lino penalty after Hull failed to kick a drop-out ten metres.
Cade Cust was injured in the concession of that drop-out and, with Hull reorganising, Trinity were dominating the territory battle.
Tom Johnstone made great progress off a kick return and then, after Caleb Hamlin-Uele was stopped just short, Liam Hood put Jack Croft over.
Lino goaled for 8-0 and it could have been even better for the hosts when Josh Rourke, in for the injured Max Jowitt, flew through the air to score off a beautiful Oliver Russell kick, only for him to be found offside.
A gift from Tom Johnstone, dropping a high ball, allowed Hull into the contest midway through the first half and while they didn’t take advantage of their first attack, they did their second.
Powerhouse prop Herman Ese’ese charged over, although a lengthy video check was needed to determine he claimed the ball legally after juggling John Asiata’s pass.
Despite the introduction of Liam Watts for his second debut, seven years after last appearing for the club, Hull were on the back foot again by the end of the first half.
And for a second time they were grateful for an offside call which denied a try, again off a Russell kick but this time to Johnstone, on the stroke of half-time as Wakefield remained only 8-6 in front.
And the home sections of a sold-out Belle Vue were even more frustrated six minutes into the second half with a third try disallowed by the video referee – this time because an obstruction on Jordan Lane had helped Lino to slice his way over.
Fatigue told as errors began to creep in and play struggled to break out from the middle of the field – until Chamberlain made a sudden, brilliant run off a Sezer pass and ran 40 metres to give Hull the lead for the first time on the hour.
Wakefield seemed to have nothing left in response, and with ten minutes remaining – and after Lino fatally kicked out on the full from deep – Sezer slotted a grubber kick in behind for Martin to score his tenth try of the season in all competitions.
Hood provided a late spark as his dummy-half run and offload put over Cameron Scott, making his first appearance since leaving the Black and Whites last year, and while Lino’s missed goal left Trinity four points behind with six minutes to go, it gave them a chance to fight back.
And one opportunity did fall their way when they attempted to break down the left, but Rourke’s pass to Johnstone was ruled forward.
GAMESTAR: Herman Ese’ese delivered another huge performance in the middle for Hull.
GAMEBREAKER: Lewis Martin’s try provided enough breathing room to see out victory.
HIGHLIGHT REEL: Ed Chamberlain’s thrilling break and try on the hour changed the game in an instant.
ALBERT GOLDTHORPE POINTS
3 pts Herman Ese’ese (Hull FC)
2 pts John Asiata (Hull FC)
1 pt Cameron Scott (Wakefield)
MATCHFACTS
TRINITY
23 Josh Rourke
19 Oliver Pratt
3 Cameron Scott (D)
4 Corey Hall
5 Tom Johnstone
20 Mason Lino
7 Oliver Russell
8 Mike McMeeken
9 Liam Hood
15 Caleb Hamlin-Uele
12 Josh Griffin
25 Jack Croft
13 Jay Pitts
Subs (all used)
10 Ky Rodwell
16 Renouf Atoni
28 Harvey Smith
31 Caius Faatili
18th man (not used)
21 Mathieu Cozza
Also in 21-man squad
2 Lachlan Walmsley
6 Jake Trueman
24 Matty Russell
Tries: Hamlin-Uele (9), Scott (73)
Goals: Lino 2/3
HULL FC
23 Logan Moy
1 Jordan Rapana
3 Zak Hardaker
5 Tom Briscoe
22 Lewis Martin
14 Cade Cust
7 Aidan Sezer
8 Herman Ese’ese
9 Amir Bourouh
40 Liam Knight
11 Jed Cartwright
12 Jordan Lane
13 John Asiata
Subs (all used)
4 Ed Chamberlain
17 Jack Ashworth
19 Brad Fash
41 Liam Watts (D2)
18th man (not used)
39 Sam Eseh
Also in 21-man squad
31 Hugo Salabio
33 Will Hutchinson
34 Lloyd Kemp
Tries: Ese’ese (23), Chamberlain (61), Martin (70)
Goals: Sezer 2/3
SCORING SEQUENCE: 2-0, 8-0, 8-6; 8-12, 8-16, 12-16
Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Trinity: Cameron Scott; Hull FC: Herman Ese’ese
Penalty count: 5-6
Half-time: 8-6
Referee: Aaron Moore
Attendance: 8,027