After thrashing the Champions St Helens last time out, Hull FC had another home match against one of the top teams in the competition as they took on the league leaders, the Catalans Dragons, in a rare Saturday afternoon kick off.
A win for the Airlie Birds would see them level on points with the Leeds Rhinos in eighth spot but likely trailing them due to an horrendous negative points difference, while the Dragons knew that a win would see them four points clear at the top in their quest for the minor premiership.
The Dragons were slight favourites for the win with FC given a four-point start on the coupon, perhaps a reflection of the 38-6 scoreline in favour of the French side when the two sides met in the south of France in round three.
It was the best of starts for the Dragons as they took the lead on four minutes with a kick to the corner being grounded by Tom Johnstone who outpaced Darnell McIntosh. Arthur Mourge converted well from close to the touchline for a 6-0 lead.
A Danny Houghton 40-20 kick on fifteen piled the pressure onto the Dragons but they relinquished possession deep inside the Catalans half.
Tom Davies took advantage of a dropped ball from Joe Lovodua on his own thirty as he picked up the loose ball and cantered over under the sticks. Mourgue was on target for the second time for a 12-0 lead with twenty minutes on the clock.
On twenty-seven Chris Satae took a short pass from Joe Clifford to crash through the Dragons line and stretch to force the ball onto the ground. Clifford added the extra and after being on the back foot for most of the game the home side were only six points adrift.
Arthur Romano snatched a third try for the Dragons from almost nothing as he wriggled out of a tackle and got the ball to the ground when it looked like the defence had him all wrapped up. Mourgue was unable to add the conversion.
A short kick-off was collected by the Dragons and as they pushed downfield, they went in for their fourth of the afternoon as Julian Bousquet grounded after bouncing off the post pad. The video referee was consulted and agreed with the referee in awarding the try. Mourgue added the conversion to give the Dragons a 22-6 lead after thirty-four minutes.
It was three tries in five minutes, but this one was for the Black and Whites with a flowing break downfield and a couple of stumbles before the ball finally went into the hands of McIntosh to dive in at the corner. Clifford added the conversion, FC now ten points behind their opponents.
On the hooter Adam Swift intercepted a wayward pass to Romano and went the length of the field to score under the sticks for a gift of a try. Clifford added the conversion for a half time score of 18-22.
The Dragons had dominated the half and were left scratching their heads at half time as to why they were only four points ahead, FC had hung in, taken their chances to reduce the lead and given themselves something to build on in the second half.
It was a nerve-wracking opening period on the second half as the Dragons tried to re-establish their advantage, but it took twenty-three minutes for the scorers to be troubled. The second half deadlock was broken by Tom Davies who collected a pinpoint Tyrone May grubber kick to go over and silence the home side. Mourgue added a touchline conversion for 28-18, the only points of the second forty.
While the first half was a festival of try scoring, the points dried up in the second half and the Catalans Dragons doubled down and defended their meagre lead, extending it by just six points to take a 28-18 win. FC will count themselves as fortunate to still be in the game at the interval but frustrated that they couldn’t continue to ride their luck and build upon their first half success with points in the second. The dragons are four points clear at the top of the table, Hull FC looking like their hopes of a play-off place are fading fast.
Hull FC: Shaul, Swift (T), Scott, Tuimavave, McIntosh (T), Trueman, Clifford (3G), Fash, Houghton, Sao, Lovodua, Savelio, Cator. Subs: Brown, Lane, McNamara, Satae (T). 18th Man: Litten.
Catalans Dragons: Mourgue (4G), Johnstone (T), Romano (T), Keighran, Davies (2T), Tomkins, May, McMeeken, McIlorum, Navarette, Whitley, Seguier, Garcia. Subs: Bousquet (T), Da Costa, Dezaria, Ma’u. 18th Man: Ikuvalu.
Half-Time: 18-22.
Full-Time: 18-28.
Score Progression: 0-4, 0-6, 0-10, 0-12, 4-12, 6-12, 6-16, 6-20, 6-22, 10-22, 12-22, 16-22, 18-22 : HT: 18-26, 18-28 :FT.
Lead Exchanges: Catalans.
Referee: Liam Moore.
