There has never been any doubting the talent in the Hull FC squad. On paper they are up there with the best in the Super League. At last they looked to have found some form.
The derby win over fierce rivals Hull KR on Good Friday may just be the catalyst for a revival, and they showed the result was no fluke following an impressive display away at top of the table, Warrington Wolves on Easter Monday.
Influential Australian forward Craig Fitzgibbon seems to have found form after initiating most of the play around the ruck area against the Wolves in particular and released Danny Houghton for a try after an impeccably timed inside ball, and even in the absence of their other talisman Sean Long, the Black and White's still managed to pull of a scintillating performance.
In form, goal kicking supremo Danny Tickle was also at his formidable best and kicked four from four against Warrington, and six from seven against Hull KR.
Record Books
In what were near to perfect conditions, Hull FC were inspired by their long serving Great Britain centre Kirk Yeaman, who forced his way into the record books of top ten all time point scorers for the club. After two tries in each of the two matches in just over as many days, it was a performance which saw the player's try tally for the season hit 11.
Speaking to the Hull FCl website the player said: "I am really happy with my form and loving my Rugby League again and scoring tries is what I enjoy doing.
“However, that is only by the by and comes with the team playing well and that is my focus at the minute.
“The tries will keep coming if the team are playing well and when guys like Tom Briscoe and Willie Manu are playing as well as they are either side of you, it makes life a lot easier.
He was also understandably happy with his achievement, adding: "“It’s a nice little achievement for me so I am happy with that.
“But like I say, it’s not about me it’s about the team and we are just happy to be getting the results and coming off a good Easter.”
Coach Agar looking for Momentum
The team's Head Coach Richard Agar heaped praise on his team after the two winning performances, and is looking forward to his team's next match.
As reported on the club's official website he said: “It was a great performance against Warrington, especially considering the boys backed up an extremely tough fixture against Hull KR on Good Friday and they did it sensationally.
“We have shown a great commitment to each other, plenty of aggression in defence and created some good chances, so it has been a good weekend for us.
“We’ve recorded our first back to back victories of the season in two of the hardest fixtures you’ll get.”
Historically, the Easter period is the toughest in the Super League fixture calendar and can ultimately make a fundamental difference to how the rest of the season shapes up and Agar was particularly impressed about the match with Hull KR.
“The derby is what it is and didn’t let anybody down, so to come out with the spoils in that certainly gave us all some confidence, but to go to Warrington and take on a team like them, who’ll be there or there abouts at the end of the season and on the back of the derby, makes it all the more special,”
“We hope we can move on from here. We have remained strong and confident internally and we want to build on a great weekend.”
Derby debutant Gleeson heralds fans as ''Superb''
New recruit Martin Gleeson was also in high spirits following an impressive debut in the Good Friday match against cross city rivals Hull KR. The former Wigan and Great Britain centre produced a try scoring master class, and even though two of his efforts were dubiously ruled out.
As quoted on the Hull FC website, Gleeson said: “Everyone says it really don’t they but it was a dream start for me to help the boys get a win in the derby.
“They are a great bunch of lads and I think you could see what it meant to us all, including the fans, at the end of the game.
"To get over was a nice bonus too, we worked some good opportunities with both Longy and Horney setting up some nice things in the middle, but it was a real team performance and we deserved the victory.
"Everyone played their part but I thought our edges were particularly good. Willie Manu and Danny Tickle were top class, as were Yeamo and Briscoe who were brilliant, whilst Longy really controlled things for us.
Gleeson has played his part in some memorable derbies over the last decade most notably the Wigan versus St Helens clash, though he knows that it will be hard to forget this.
"The atmosphere was electric and the fans are superb he," he said
"There was plenty of banter between both sets and the whole occasion was helped by an exciting game, glorious weather and it was just all set up for a goos day and it was for us."
Looking Ahead
May Bank Holiday Monday brings with it a home clash with a strong St Helens side, and despite Hull FC's success last weekend they do have injury concerns. Saint's former player, Sean Long will miss out after breaking his thumb against Hull KR, Cameron Phelps has doubts over a hamstring, and Joe Westerman is still waiting for news on an ankle injury. All three players missed the trip to Warrington.
Meanwhile, despite currently challenging for first at the business end of the Super League, the Saint's injury list has reached crisis point with six half back options all out.
Leon Pryce has a groin problem, Kyle Eastmond is recovering from illness, Lee Gaskell has a knock to the ankle, and Scott Moore is also sidelined. Even the experienced Paul Wellens and Chris Flannery are injured and this could leave Saints with no choice but to rush Josh Perry back from a minor groin problem to deputise.
For Hull fans this can only be good news, and there is every chance of three wins in as many matches.
Matt Haynes - I am currently about to enter my third year of a Sports Journalism degree at the University of Staffordshire. I have a strong passion for ...
