Hull FC notebook: Youth progress, derby game abandoned, Balmforth double

Lower grades looking healthy

Hull FC Reserves made it five wins from six this year with a thumping 52-6 victory over Salford Red Devils on Saturday. On trial centre, Clark Wells got four tries, with one each coming for Manoa Wacokecoke, Jamie Shaul, Lewis Martin, Logan Moy, Jude Ferreira, and Matty Laidlaw.

The result leapfrogs them into third place on ten points, with Wigan (11) and St Helens (13) above them. The Black and Whites have a game in hand on the Saints, with the Reserve Championship being a straight Grand Final hit-out between first and second. Last year’s competition saw Wigan beat Wakefield in the final with Hull, getting the mix right with their first-team players and Academy, fancying their chances this season.

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The same goes for the Academy, who are aiming for the top four play-offs once again, and while that level isn’t all about results, they do go hand in hand with a successful programme. The talent is there to be seen, and Michael Shenton, Pete Riding, and all of the staff involved are doing a fine job.

The Academy side currently sit in fourth place, level on points with Warrington and Wigan, with all three clubs winning five of their opening six games. St Helens, meanwhile, have won all six of their games so far this year. They next meet the Black and Whites at the University on Saturday 17 June.

Read more about the Reserves latest win, including Hull’s on trial centre, here.

Two for Denive

Newcastle Thunder lost out 38-32 in a Championship thriller with Sheffield Eagles in the Summer Bash. The north-east club fielded Hull FC pair Nick Staveley and Denive Balmforth once again, with the latter getting over for two tries.

It was Balmforth’s 12th appearance for Newcastle. He’s come off the bench in ten of those games and started one at hooker and one at back row. He’s also played a bit of half-back as well.

Staveley, meanwhile, is coming on leaps and bounds and played his ninth game for the Championship club. He’s featured mostly in the back row but has also played a couple of games at centre.

Derby game abandoned

The derby between Hull FC and Hull KR Women was abandoned on Sunday afternoon with the score at 0-0. It was a tight battle between the two sides, who are both making headway with their Girls’ programmes this year. Unfortunately, a serious injury to Emma Cole halted the game.

The club tweeted: “The match has been abandoned at 0-0 due to a serious knee injury for Emma Cole. Wishing you a speedy recovery, Emma.”

Girls now table toppers

Hull FC’s Under 16s side hammered Stanningley 42-4 to go top of the Girls’ Eastern League. The result puts them two points clear of the West Yorkshire side, who do have a game in hand. However, the Black and Whites have a significantly better points difference, +174, compared to Stanningley’s +64.

The Under 14s sit second in their respective table after four wins from five to start the season and are level on points with Hull KR. However, the Robins have a game in hand and are currently unbeaten in that division.

Wheelchair Magic

The Hull FC Wheelchair team are back in action on Sunday 10 June for the latest Wheelchair Magic Round. The Black and Whites are first up against Halifax Panthers at Northumbria University before Leeds Rhinos face Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors meet London Roosters.

This will be the second ‘Magic’ event of the season after three games were held in Birmingham earlier this year. There will be more triple headers in Manchester and London in the summer months.

Full schedule
Hull FC v Halifax Panthers – 12:00
Leeds Rhinos v Warrington Wolves – 14:00
Wigan Warriors v London Roosters – 16:00

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