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4 days ago
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Josh Thewlis on his spectacular try, gaining confidence and key defensive play
Josh Thewlis touches down for the opening try against Hull FC after breaking from deep inside his own half (Image: Paul Currie/ WARRINGTON Wolves needed a good start against Hull FC, and Josh Thewlis provided it in spectacular fashion. With The Wire tasked with coming off their own line early in the game, the winger – back in his regular position after two games at full-back – burst through the Black and Whites defence and streaked home from almost the full length of the field. Advertisement From there, his side never looked back and secured a victory that keeps them alive in the play-off race, when defeat would have all but ended their hopes. 'It was just a yardage carry, I got my nose through and away I went,' the older Thewlis brother told the Warrington Guardian post-match as he completed another game alongside younger sibling Jake, who was on the opposite wing. 'We've been working hard lately and sticking to process and it showed today. 'It was a pretty easy switch – we do two or three training sessions a week so it was just picking up my job again. I spoke to Sam (Burgess) and it's a case of wherever the team needs me. Advertisement 'It was good going back to full-back – you see the game a lot differently – but it's good to be back on the right edge and building some connections with Rod (Tai) and George (Williams).' On the victory, he added: 'We did need it. Closing that gap between us and the six is definitely something we spoke about this week. 'It was either going to be seven points after today or three, and we've made it three so we're back in touch. Hopefully we can charge now for the rest of the season. 'It's been tough recently – we've been putting a lot of effort into games without coming away with points and wins. 'The players have been frustrated more than anyone – I get fans are frustrated as well – but it's good to see us get the benefits out of our hard work. Advertisement 'I think we can gain a lot of confidence from that.' Thewlis the younger joined his brother on the scoresheet shortly afterwards as Warrington struck out into a 12-0 lead, but a nervy second half appeared to be in store after the visitors narrowed the gap to two points with a surge late in the opening period. However, The Wire nailed their start again after the break and back-to-back tries from Sam Powell and Lachlan Fitzgibbon stretched them out to an unassailable lead. 'We spoke about our start all week – Hull have got a good starting pack that come hard with Herman Ese'ese leading it,' Thewlis said. Advertisement 'Our three middles got after it this week and we got a 12-0 start. 'They pegged us back with some unanswered points but in the second half, our emphasis was on going hard again and I think we delivered on both of them.' Warrington kept Hull pretty much at arm's length for the rest of the game, but there was time for a scare when Lewis Martin crossed on Thewlis' right edge. However, video referee Jack Smith chalked the try off after replays showed centre partner Rodrick Tai had done enough to force Martin into touch before he grounded the ball. 'We spoke about moments and winning more of them,' Thewlis said. Advertisement 'Our system works but it's about making one-on-ones and Rod getting around and making that kind of tackle is part of our system. 'It was a massive effort – the game could have been in the swing there but that popped their bubble a bit.'
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4 days ago
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KEY STATS: Currie's quiet brilliance and a clear change of tack at dummy-half
Ben Currie was Wire's top tackler and the leading ball-carrier among forwards against Hull FC (Image: Paul Currie/ IT was an excellent collective effort from Warrington Wolves to beat Hull FC on Saturday, but a few individuals have been highlighted post-match. George Williams received Sky Sports' player of the match award while Josh Thewlis was named as the stand-out in-ground, with Matt Dufty's contributions upon his return from injury also highlighted. Advertisement However, a look at the game stats reveals another display of quiet effectiveness from The Wire's 'Mr Consistent' in Ben Currie. The loose forward, who has arguably been Wire's player of the season thus far, achieved the rare double of being the team's top tackler and the leading metre-maker among his colleagues up front. His 38 tackles led the way for his side with Sam Stone (37) and Luke Yates (34) close behind, with Yates completing all of his attempted tackles successfully without a single miss. Across the game as a whole, Currie's tackle number can only be topped by Hull pair Amir Bourouh and Zak Hardaker, both of whom made 41 tackles. Advertisement With the ball, Currie's 12 carries yielded 102 metres at an average of 8.5m per carry – the most of any Wire forward while his number was only topped for forwards on either side by Hull juggernaut Herman Ese'ese, who just edged past him with 103m but from two more carries. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Josh Thewlis was the game's leading metre-maker having racked up 165m from 14 carries – a total boosted by the long-range break he made to score the game's opening try. Williams was just behind him with 164m from 25 carries including two line breaks while Dufty made 130m from 15 carries, including the line break assist for Lachlan Fitzgibbon's try. A change of tack at dummy-half A point of criticism among Warrington fans of late has been the lack of variety from dummy-half of late. Advertisement With Danny Walker injured, Sam Powell and Jordy Crowther have been carrying the weight but with neither a known runner from behind the ruck, their efforts have been subjected to ridicule in some quarters. However, there was a clear change of tack in this game as there was certainly more of an inclination among the team to run straight from the play-the-ball. Indeed, the seven dummy-half runs the team made collectively was their highest total since the Round Nine victory over St Helens which, ironically, was the last game Walker played before succumbing to his knee injury, albeit he was playing in the halves that night. Powell's barge-over from dummy-half is the kind of try Wire have not been scoring in Walker's absence, with his two scoots making 18 metres – more than in his 10 previous Super League games combined. A dummy-half run from Crowther also earned an early penalty while it was a similar carry from Josh Thewlis that got him through the line for the opening try.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
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Zak Hardaker makes big Hull FC top-six admission and uses Hull KR example
Zak Hardaker has insisted that this Hull FC side is a top six team – and on their day, even a top four one – but they have to continue to turn up every week, put the performances in, and look to get better. Advertisement The Black and Whites currently hold onto sixth position in Super League, with Sunday's 38-6 win over Salford Red Devils keeping John Cartwright's side inside the play-off picture. But with key games coming up against the teams in and around them, Hull, who were far from perfect even in victory, know they have to first keep up their standards and then look for the necessary improvements in every game. If they do that, then Hardaker, who knows a thing or two about making the play-offs and winning trophies, believes both the players and the ability are there to first control their own destiny and then achieve their end goal – with belief picked up from ten wins on the road this year, not to mention their current position. READ MORE: Zak Hardaker explains back row challenges and John Cartwright's firm Hull FC warning READ MORE: Popular Hull pub unveils new look following three-week revamp Advertisement Speaking to Hull Live post-match, Hardaker said: "There was a lot of talk about where this team was going to be this year, and I don't think John has put any pressure on us internally, saying we need to finish top six, top four, or top two. But as our performances continue throughout the year, I'm man enough to say – and I've played this game a long time – that we're definitely a top six team. But it's up to us to turn up every week and put a good performance in. "On our day we can be a top six team, even a top four team, but we're not on our day every week. That's the point with us. We train hard through the week, and sometimes it doesn't come off on the big day, but we're definitely a top six team, and I'd be telling lies if that wasn't definitely our aim now. We need to keep turning out wins and make our performances better. "I think, with a fully fit team, we can beat anyone. I genuinely mean that. The two top teams at the minute are Wigan and Hull KR. Wigan fell short at Wakefield; Hull KR are really good, sublime to be fair, but on our day, I think we can match anyone. "We played Hull KR two months ago; we had a man down for 70 minutes, and we contested for large parts. We can beat anyone; it's just about keeping our connections and keeping that willingness to work for each other. We want to make this club proud again, and we're on the right direction with that." Advertisement And while Hull ran out seven-try winners at Salford, there were still parts of the performance that frustrated Hardaker, with the knowledge they can be better. The 33-year-old continued: "We're still frustrated with that performance – there were elements that were really good; we had 20-minute spells, but that's not enough, and against the bigger and better teams, you need to do 40 minutes, have a rest, and then do 40 again. "We've done some dumb things, not finishing on last tackles, and some selections weren't good enough, and we ended up defending our line for large parts, and that drains you. There are parts where we can learn going forward. But it was good to get a good score on Salford, and we're looking forward to Warrington now. "It's a mad league at the moment, and that's why we have to play well every week. It doesn't matter who we are playing – we have to be a good Hull FC team and one that makes people proud. Hopefully, we can keep ticking those two points off. It's a tough game up next, and it will be another good test to see where we're at." Hull head to the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Saturday for the second time this year. It comes before a big run of home fixtures at the MKM Stadium, something this team has to be ready for. Advertisement Hardaker added: "I think John touched on it before; we've got eight of the last 11 games at home. The FC fans have turned out week in, week out; they've been tremendous, and they were brilliant again here. "It's really important that we get a home win now. We've just got the draw against Leigh, and that's disappointing, but it's Warrington next, and they'll be looking to bounce back up (after defeat to Huddersfield). It's up to us to put in a really good performance ahead of our run of home games, but we know where we need to be. We just need to keep building."
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4 days ago
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Hull FC ratings as Aidan Sezer moments fail to mask under-par team display
Hull FC were defeated 24-10 at Warrington Wolves on Saturday evening. Here are the ratings. Jordan Rapana - The Kiwi does some good things, and his involvements are plentiful, but there are still too many errors in his game playing at full-back. He'll know that, but it's also a team game, and Hull need to be better collectively. 4 Advertisement Harvey Barron - Scored a try for the third game in a row. A couple of tough errors when under pressure, but he also stood up defensively at times with one or two big plays. 4 READ MORE: John Cartwright reacts to Hull FC defeat as search goes on for key performance answer READ MORE: Hull FC suffer disappointing defeat at Warrington Wolves as side made to rue sloppy account Tom Briscoe - A big moment in the second half could have gone his way if not for a big play from Rodrick Tai to palm back a Hardaker pass. Ifs and buts now. Tried his best; it was just not Hull's day. 5 Davy Litten - Ran strong and was really solid, especially in the first half. Never backed down. Some pressure-relieving plays from Warrington kicks too. Certainly one of Hull's strongest performers. 6 Advertisement Lewis Martin - Dealt with all kicks and returned the ball strongly. Made one break. Went well as always, even if denied a second-half try with a foot in touch. 6 Cade Cust - Involved in both of Hull's first-half tries, unleashing his half-back partner Aidan Sezer. Always a threat with his running game, but the link at times in attack just wasn't fluent. With John Asiata and Will Pryce out, that's no surprise. Moved to hooker for the last quarter of the game. 5 Aidan Sezer - Had Hull's best moments. His assist to Barron may have been forward, but there was no doubting his own try, running strong to score. Unfortunately, that spell was as good as it got. 6 Herman Ese'ese - Ran strong as always and bumped off plenty of tackles. Couldn't turn the tide in the second half. 6 Advertisement Amir Bourouh - Tidy. Tried to keep Hull ticking. Came off on the hour mark. 5 Liam Knight - Used as Hull's middle ball link. Played big minutes and tried to lead the charge. 6 Zak Hardaker - Competitive as always, he tried his best to get at Wire. Massive defensive effort. 6 Ed Chamberlain - Ran well off Sezer when he got the opportunity. Put himself about as always. 5 Yusuf Aydin - Played the whole first half in what was a big effort from the energetic middle. 5 Jack Ashworth - Tried to add a bit of punch off the bench. 5 Brad Fash - Hull were under the cosh during the large majority of Fash's time on the field, but he never backed down defensively. 5 Jack Charles - Came on after the game had already slipped away. 5 Sam Eseh - Put himself about but to no avail. 5
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hull FC suffer disappointing defeat at Warrington Wolves as side made to rue sloppy account
Warrington Wolves kept their Super League season alive with a 24-10 victory over Hull FC on Saturday evening, and in doing so, silenced any lingering hangover talk following their Challenge Cup final defeat to Hull KR at the start of the month. Advertisement Led by George Williams, who, similarly, put to rest any doubt of his commitment to the Wire's cause following a high-profile transfer link to NRL outfit the Dolphins, the home side was too strong, pulling away at the start of each half to record a win that keeps their play-off hopes very much alive with 11 rounds of the season still to go. As it stands, the Wire are just two points behind seventh-place Wakefield and three behind sixth-place Hull, with Sam Burgess' side showing plenty of craft and courage to earn the two points and perhaps reignite their campaign. READ MORE: John Cartwright reacts to Hull FC defeat as search goes on for key performance answer READ MORE: Highlights as Warrington Wolves keep season alive with victory over Hull FC Advertisement For Hull, it was a disappointing defeat. They weren't at the races to start, and despite a mini resurgence before half-time, they didn't produce for long enough periods to trouble the scoreboard and threaten the result. Aidan Sezer was at the heart of all they did well, but it wasn't enough, with game star Williams in turn producing the goods alongside half-back partner Marc Sneyd to ensure a big win in the context of Wire's season. Hull coach John Cartwright named an unchanged side for the first time this season—and incredibly, the first time since the play-off game at Wire back in November 2020. Meanwhile, Warrington full-back Matt Dufty made an early return from a fractured cheekbone, with centre Toby King dropped. And it was the Wire who started the stronger of the two sides. They got their first try through Josh Thewlis, with Jordan Rapana caught in the defensive line, and the winger, once he broke through, having a clear run to the try line as he raced 80 or so metres following some soft Hull defence. In response, Hull actually shaped up well. They tried to get their halves playing wider with Liam Knight used as the middle link, and at times, it worked to effect. However, it was the home side who came up trumps again, with a slick right-to-left move putting the other Thewlis brother, Jake, over in the corner. The young gun went over untouched, with Marc Sneyd's boot making it 12-0 to the Primrose and Blue outfit. Advertisement Hull needed some inspiration, and as has so often been the case this season, it came through their captain and leading half-back Sezer. The skipper first ran strong, taking a Cade Cust pass to attack the line at pace and burst through before showing the necessary composure to find Harvey Barron to finish in the corner—although whether the pass was legal was certainly dubious, to say the least, with the home crowd screaming 'forward.' But little did Hull care. They were back in it, with Sezer again proving instrumental. The half attacked once more, coming onto Cust's pass again and bursting through the line to score. That put Hull within two points at the break, with a contest that looked like it was getting away from them after an inconspicuous start firmly in the balance. But that Hull fightback was soon laid to rest in the second half—albeit it was the away side who broke and had the chance to score and take the lead. But Wire did just enough to get to a Hardaker pass after a Sezer half break and prevent FC's right edge from running away—with Tom Briscoe failing to take in the pass. That defensive play was rewarded, with Wire then regaining control with two quick-fire tries. First, Sam Powell scooted over from close range, with the veteran hooker smelling an opportunity to strike, before Lachlan Fitzgibbon added a fourth, getting on the end of a crisp move that saw the Black and Whites carved open again. Advertisement Sneyd again made no mistake from the tee, with the Wire 14 points to the good and in the ascendancy once again. They were camped on Hull's line for what seemed an eternity, but the away side miraculously survived. They kept going, with Lewis Martin—his foot in touch before grounding the ball—seeing a try overturned by the video referee. The effort from Cartwright's side wasn't in question, but ultimately, it was all in vain as Wire ran out deserved winners, with two massive games now coming up at the MKM Stadium—first St Helens and then Wakefield. For this Hull side, resurgent but still with a long way to go, next month is certainly make or break. Teams Warrington Starting XIII: 1. Matt Dufty; 2. Josh Thewlis, 20. Connor Wrench, 4. Rodrick Tai, 28. Jake Thewlis; 6. George Williams, 35. Marc Sneyd; 13. Luke Yates, 17. Jordy Crowther, 10. Paul Vaughan; 38. Sam Stone, 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon; 11. Ben Currie Advertisement Interchange: 14. Sam Powell, 27. Luke Thomas, 8. James Harrison, 19. Stefan Ratchford. 18th Man: 39. Tom McKinney Hull Starting XIII: 1. Jordan Rapana; 2. Harvey Barron, 5. Tom Briscoe, 20. Davy Litten, 22. Lewis Martin; 14. Cade Cust, 7. Aidan Sezer; 8. Herman Ese'ese, 9. Amir Bourouh, 40. Liam Knight; 3. Zak Hardaker, 4. Ed Chamberlain; 16. Yusuf AydinZak Hardaker and Ed Chamberlain start with Yusuf Aydin at loose-forward. Interchange: 16. Jack Ashworth, 19. Brad Fash, 24. Jack Charles, 39. Sam Eseh. 18th Man: 27. Matty Laidlaw Scorers Warrington Tries: Josh Thewlis, Jake Thewlis, Powell, Fitzgibbon. Goals: Sneyd 4/4 Hull Tries: Barron, Sezer. Goals: Sezer 1/2 Scoring System: 6-0, 12-0, 12-4, 12-10, HT, 18-10, 24-10, Referee: Chris Kendall. Video Referee: Jack Smith Attendance: 10,235
