No "moping" from Tony Smith's Hull FC as they ruin Wigan Warriors winning run

04 May 2023 , 23:40

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Hull FC's Jake Clifford scores against Wigan (Image: PA)

Tony Smith hailed Hull’s spirit as they stunned Super League leaders Wigan and insisted: “We’ve never moped around.”

Australian scrum-half Jake Clifford, 25, was to the fore as his side built up an early 14-0 lead - and then desperately hung on for only a fourth win of the season. He created the opener for Darnell McIntosh, weaved over himself and added three goals inside just 16 minutes. Smith’s side had lost seven on the bounce before ending the rot against Huddersfield.

But now they’ve delivered back-to-back victories for the first time since February. And it came after a remarkable second half defensive performance as they battled hard in relentless rain against a Wigan side who'd won six on the spin.

Smith said: “The fans got us over. There were times we were out on our feet. But they could hear Old Faithful being sung and it pushed us along. We owe the fans a bit. We still do. I’m happy for the players as we went seven straight (losses) and we could have got disgruntled and down and out but they didn’t. They’ve been really positive.

“We weren’t moping around. It doesn’t mean everything’s all rosy. But my team kept fighting and kept swinging and we put them under a little bit of pressure. I’m pleased for them but there’s more to do.”

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Wigan got close, winger Iain Thornley scoring two tries in his first Warriors appearance in 10 months. But they couldn’t make the killer blow - even after Jake Trueman’s yellow card for a professional foul with 50 seconds remaining. Hull’s veteran hooker Danny Houghton had also come up with one crucial tackle earlier on - just as speedster Bevan French looked certain to go the length of the field.

Darnell McIntosh scored Hull's first try

But Hull - with ex-Castleford stand-off Trueman debuting off the bench after being out with a knee injury since last July - deserved the spoils after a courageous effort. Mistake-ridden Wigan were in utter disarray in the first half before Thornley did finally get things right in the 38th minute.

Harry Smith converted from wide out and Thornley added his second try just four minutes into the second period. But they kept spilling and boss Matty Peet admitted: “That first half we weren't where we needed to be.

“They punished us. We had energy in the second half but lacked execution with the ball. Credit to Hull. They were good with their defensive efforts and we weren’t good enough to get the win.”

David Craven