Hull FC Slay the Dragons To Progress Into the Semi-Finals : Sat Jun 25, 2016 2:27 pm  

Hull FC Slay the Dragons To Progress Into the Semi-Finals A semi-final place, joining Wakefield and Warrington in the draw, was on offer as league leaders Hull FC welcomed fourth placed Catalans Dragons. Both sides made a number of changes, welcoming back players from injury and in the case of Ben Garcia for the Dragons, after a spell away from the club. It looked like the tie of the round and neither side would take a backward step. READ MORE ON THIS STORY...

Hull FC Slay the Dragons To Progress Into the Semi-Finals A semi-final place, joining Wakefield and Warrington in the draw, was on offer as league leaders Hull FC welcomed fourth placed Catalans Dragons. Both sides made a number of changes, welcoming back players from injury and in the case of Ben Garcia for the Dragons, after a spell away from the club. It looked like the tie of the round and neither side would take a backward step. READ MORE ON THIS STORY...

Re: Hull FC Slay the Dragons To Progress Into the Semi-Final : Sat Jun 25, 2016 2:45 pm  

[Wildthing]

Re: Hull FC Slay the Dragons To Progress Into the Semi-Final : Sat Jun 25, 2016 3:15 pm  

Nailed on Hull FC will knock us out in the semi finals again!

Re: Hull FC Slay the Dragons To Progress Into the Semi-Final : Sat Jun 25, 2016 7:16 pm  

No they won't Wildthing !! (well not in 2016)

[Wildthing]

Re: Hull FC Slay the Dragons To Progress Into the Semi-Final : Sat Jun 25, 2016 7:20 pm  

Budgiezilla wrote:

No they won't Wildthing !! (well not in 2016)

We are in for a battle whoever we play but I wanted to avoid FC.

Re: Hull FC Slay the Dragons To Progress Into the Semi-Final : Sat Jun 25, 2016 7:31 pm  

It is worth remembering that Catalans have had a serious handicap with injuries, and a suspension. Today they were missing seven top class players, including all their first quality centres, their first choice full back, and their most experienced and skilled scrum half:

Krisnan Inu, (centre)
Vincent Duport, (centre)
Anthony Gigot, (centre/ full back)
Richard Myler (half back)
Louis Anderson, (second row)
Olivier Elima, (prop)
Paul Aiton (hooker)

That is a lot of the salary cap sitting on the sideline. Moreover Catalans were forced to play a winger and a second rower in the centres.

Had those seven injured been available the result might well have been very, very different.

As it was Hull only scored three tries to two, with the difference in goal kicking performance expanding Hull FC's margin of victory.

Re: Hull FC Slay the Dragons To Progress Into the Semi-Final : Sat Jun 25, 2016 8:58 pm  

All that says to me is that Catalan must have a sensational accountant.

Re: Hull FC Slay the Dragons To Progress Into the Semi-Final : Sat Jun 25, 2016 9:11 pm  

JEAN CAPDOUZE wrote:

It is worth remembering that Catalans have had a serious handicap with injuries, and a suspension. Today they were missing seven top class players, including all their first quality centres, their first choice full back, and their most experienced and skilled scrum half:

Krisnan Inu, (centre)
Vincent Duport, (centre)
Anthony Gigot, (centre/ full back)
Richard Myler (half back)
Louis Anderson, (second row)
Olivier Elima, (prop)
Paul Aiton (hooker)

That is a lot of the salary cap sitting on the sideline. Moreover Catalans were forced to play a winger and a second rower in the centres.

Had those seven injured been available the result might well have been very, very different.

As it was Hull only scored three tries to two, with the difference in goal kicking performance expanding Hull FC's margin of victory.

3rd time we've beaten them this season, they've all had a go and failed!

[Jimmythecuckoo]

Re: Hull FC Slay the Dragons To Progress Into the Semi-Final : Mon Jun 27, 2016 7:47 am  

Well done to Hull and good luck for the next round.

Re: Hull FC Slay the Dragons To Progress Into the Semi-Final : Mon Jun 27, 2016 8:34 am  

JEAN CAPDOUZE wrote:

It is worth remembering that Catalans have had a serious handicap with injuries, and a suspension. Today they were missing seven top class players, including all their first quality centres, their first choice full back, and their most experienced and skilled scrum half:

Krisnan Inu, (centre)
Vincent Duport, (centre)
Anthony Gigot, (centre/ full back)
Richard Myler (half back)
Louis Anderson, (second row)
Olivier Elima, (prop)
Paul Aiton (hooker)

That is a lot of the salary cap sitting on the sideline. Moreover Catalans were forced to play a winger and a second rower in the centres.

Had those seven injured been available the result might well have been very, very different.

As it was Hull only scored three tries to two, with the difference in goal kicking performance expanding Hull FC's margin of victory.

Ifs whats and maybes. Fact of the matter is we overcame the mighty Dragons again. 3 from 3 this season. Many times over the years Hull could have won if........

It's time to sit up and take note. Teams are only as good as the depth of their squad. Hull have a fantastic squad this year with quality in reserve. They all know exactly what is required of them and everyone is buying into a winning culture, created by our senior players and the coaching staff, with incredible support from the terraces. Lord knows we deserve it after decades of dross.

We could easily point to the quality of the players we had sat in the stands. But it's down to the 17 on the park on the day. Once again we prevailed.

It might not last until the awards are handed out this season, but boy are we enjoying the ride. Thankfully people are waking up to the fact we are the real deal and not whinging about what could have been. You don't enjoy a winning streak like we are on by being lucky to only be up against sides with injuries.