'It felt great' Brad Fash lists catalysts for Hull FC victory as side benefit from confidence growth

Brad Fash has singled out Hull FC's collective 'effort and energy' as the catalyst for Saturday's 18-10 victory over Leeds Rhinos. Ending an 11-game losing run, the Black and Whites produced a committed and connected performance to earn just their second win of the season.

Basing their game on effort-based traits, Hull were aggressive and took the game to Leeds. They got off their line as one unit and defended both assertively and desperately before taking a deserved 12-0 lead at the break after Lewis Martin and Denive Balmforth tries.

That same desperation continued in the second half, with Hull extending their lead through Cam Scott. Leeds then hit back, but Hull continued to turn up for one another, with the side getting their rewards with their first win in over three months.

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"It felt great," a delighted Fash said post-match. "Everyone put in the effort that we like to see. The effort was what got us the win, and I'm really proud of the team. We were energetic from the start, and we got out of the blocks. In the second half, it was a similar sort of thing.

"We were keen all game. We all got off the line, and our contact was good. We got three men in the tackle. They did get a roll on at times, but we kept coming all game, and that's what gave us the opportunity to win.

"We were willing to win the game in the last minute. We waited all half to score any points. We played until the final whistle, and that's why we won."

After losing their last 11 games prior to the Leeds fixture, Hull have been down and out at times this season. They've conceded over 50 points on four separate occasions, with the side second from bottom on the Super League table. However, Fash believes the side can now turnaround their fortunes with 13 rounds still to go, with confidence building and a settled side beginning to emerge on the field.

"There's been a lot of players coming in and out," Fash continued. "There's also been a lot of chopping with cards and a lot of things that changed the team. We're starting to get a bit of a rhythm now and have a regular team on the go. I think that's helping.

"It's been hard, but we've improved in the last few weeks. We weren't happy with the start of the year, and we've had a few things not go our way, but even in the last two weeks, I thought we looked confident. When you're close, that confidence can come from playing well and having that energy.

"We're looking a lot better now. I thought we attacked well. We did run out of ideas at times when we got near their line, but we played to the conditions. When I saw it was raining, I thought that would work in our favour, and it did."

For Fash personally, the win was extra special, with the forward captaining the senior side for the first time in the absence of Danny Houghton.

"I can't replicate the things Danny does every week," a modest Fash said. "I knew that I was going to be captain, and there's a responsibility that comes with that, but there's not many players in the league, let alone in our team, who can replicate what Danny Houghton does.

"But yeah, it was a proud moment for me, captaining my hometown club. I've been a Hull fan all of my life, so I'm really happy with how today went.

"I like to think I lead the team quite well. I speak a lot on the field, I'm very vocal, and I'd like to think the boys appreciate what I do when I'm out there, but the team has performed really well in recent weeks, and it's been good to see."

Hull host Warrington Wolves next at home this Saturday, with Fash drawing a base for Hull to build on. The challenge now is to not let recent standards slip but also get better with confidence growing into the second half of the season with more wins the target.

"We need to look to get better each week," Fash added. "Our standards have been improving week after week. We had a slight dip in terms of standards on the field (at London), but our training standards have been good, and that's gotten us to the position we are now in, where we're starting to compete. That's what it's about each week; as long as we're competing, then we've got a chance.

"Nothing can change now. We have to go this week, as we have the last three weeks, and just keep on turning up. If we keep training hard and listening to the coaches—Grixy has some good ideas and he's kept us on the ball discipline-wise—then we'll be in good stead. We've got plenty of fixtures left and I'd be very shocked if we didn't pick up any more points."

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