In a tightly contested clash at Belle Vue, Hull FC overcame Wakefield Trinity 16-12 on March 21, 2025, marking a significant chapter in the early Super League season. With the stands packed by a sell-out crowd, the matchup showcased the fierce spirit of both teams, but ultimately, Hull secured their third victory out of six games.
The evening began with Wakefield taking an early lead through a penalty goal from Mason Lino, who capitalized on a Hull infringement just four minutes into the match. Shortly after, the hosts extended their advantage when Jack Croft dove over the line after a crafty pass from hooker Liam Hood. Hull’s defense attempted to stave off further scoring threats but was unable to prevent Croft’s success, putting the visitors on the back foot as they trailed 0-8.
However, Hull FC responded robustly, clawing back into contention. Midway through the first half, Herman Ese’ese, receiving a well-placed short pass from John Asiata, muscled through Wakefield's defenders to score an impressive individual try, narrowing the deficit to 6-8.
Despite various scoring attempts, Wakefield saw a second try by Josh Rourke disallowed, this time for offside, leaving the home fans in disbelief. As the first half drew to a close, Hull FC was left to reflect on their fightback and the ongoing battle against Wakefield's formidable offense.
At the start of the second half, Wakefield struggled to replicate their initial success as frustration began to set in. With another futile scoring attempt by Lino, called back for obstruction, Wakefield faced mounting pressure. However, Hull’s resilience, fueled by Aidan Sezer's creativity, turned the tide. Sezer's pinpoint pass allowed Ed Chamberlain to explode through a gap in the defense, scoring Hull's second try of the evening and putting the visitors ahead for the first time at 10-8.
Sezer’s influence didn’t stop there. He subsequently executed a delicate grubber kick that found Lewis Martin, who displayed great finesse in grounding the ball, increasing Hull’s lead to 16-8. Although Wakefield's Cam Scott, against his former club, scored a late try with six minutes remaining, it only brought the score to 12-16 after Lino missed the conversion attempt.
Head coaches from both sides expressed their thoughts post-match. Hull FC’s John Cartwright acknowledged the physicality of the encounter and complimented Sezer’s impact, stating, “When the scoreboard's tight, it only takes one play, and he iced it. He's a good competitor, he's got a good kicking game and he's a good team man.” In stark contrast, Wakefield’s Daryl Powell lamented the crucial disallowed tries, saying, “The technology is appalling to start with - I just think what are we doing? There are some poor performances out there tonight and we had a lot of them.”
This victory propelled Hull FC to third in the league standings while Wakefield slipped to eighth. Hull FC’s supporters were ecstatic, with over 2,200 fans making the journey to cheer on their team. The match showcased Hull’s character and improvement this season, affirming that they have far exceeded last year’s points tally even at this early stage.
With their morale buoyed, Hull FC will now look forward to their next challenge against Castleford Tigers, hoping to maintain the momentum as they aim for a key spot in the Super League playoffs. Conversely, Wakefield will seek to rectify their recent misfortunes and return to winning ways, hoping to generate better results ahead in the season.
