Michael Shenton provides Hull FC injury update after reserves dig in to record big win

Hull FC produced another big result in reserve grade this Saturday afternoon, defeating Bradford Bulls 62-12 to add to their opening 54-14 win at London earlier this month. At times, they played some eye-catching rugby league and they still have some improvement in them too as they look to find their feet this season.

Another entertaining game overall, Hull scored eleven tries in total as they flexed their muscles with young outside back Manoa Wacokecoke scoring four and Harvey Barron a hat-trick. Jude Ferreira also crossed over for a double from the back row position with Kane Evans and Will Gardiner getting one each.

Hull led 26-6 at half-time and had to fight their way through the game with Jamie Shaul not risked after tightening up in the first half and teenagers Lewis Martin and Jude Thompson copping shoulder injuries. That meant the side had to reshuffle their back line, with head coach Michael Shenton delighted with the way his team dug in and came together.

Read more: Tony Smith proud of Hull FC's defensive control as future challenges laid out

“Overall I was really pleased with the effort of the boys,” Shenton told Hull Live. “It was a massive dig that. There was a lot of adversity, injuries to players and moving players about. I love that kind of stuff when the lads have got to open their minds and go play a different position, mix it up on the fly, be reactive and see how they adjust. From that point of view, we got a lot out of the game.

“There are still some bits we’re not happy with, contact and tackle management, but sometimes when you’ve got players on for longer or out of position you get a bit of that. I’m really pleased with the togetherness of the boys to hold them out and do a good job really. We let in one try in each half and against a really physical Bradford team that is really pleasing.

“The score line blew out a little bit towards the end, breakaway tries and stuff like that. It didn’t reflect how tough the game was, if I’m honest. It was a closer game than what that end result suggests.”

Hull started well and built themselves into an early lead. However, it wasn’t all plain sailing. They lost Martin in the first half with Darnell McIntosh moving to the wing and then full-back after Shaul didn’t return for the second half.

They also lost Thompson with Evans, along with Gardiner, playing big minutes again. Both seemed to enjoy the contest, though, with some confidence restored in Evans’ case and more development for Gardiner, who never took a backwards step.

Shenton, meanwhile, commented on the knocks after the game, and the contribution from the first-team players who intergrated well with the reserve squad.

“They’ve been great - really good,” Shenton continued. “I can’t speak highly enough of the boys. Just getting around them and making them feel part of it and I think they enjoyed the environment as well which is important for me.

“I think they contributed massively to it. It was a shame that Shauly tightened up a little bit but he got some decent minutes in there and showed his class. I thought Darnell and Kane both had big digs and big involvements in the game.

“Unfortunately, Jude and Lewis are both shoulder injuries. We’ll get them checked but they don’t look great. It was a shame. I think Jude will be okay but Lewis, we don’t know yet. It’s a shame, we’ve got really high hopes for Lewis but hopefully, he’s not too bad. He’ll bounce back from it and keep improving.”

Adjusting to a slightly different way of playing, the reserves played plenty of eyes-up rugby with Tony Smith in attendance. He was joined by James Clark, Adam Pearson and a good chunk of the first-team squad as the club showed their togetherness.

Attacking with some structure but in the majority with their eyes, some good tries were scored through kicks, passes and also long-range efforts. There was a good mix on show with Hull’s pace and power shining through in six more second half tries.

“There was a little bit of a different kind of plan today,” Shenton added. “I wanted them, with some of those first-team boys coming in, to get their hands on the ball and with Shaul and Evans you’ve got to be reactive.

“They like playing that way, and sometimes you’ve got to have that in your game. I like that balance, we didn’t have that much of a structured game plan today. It was more playing what you see. We struggled at times with it but it’s a part of our game where I really want us to grow. We have some great players who can offload and areas where we can be dangerous.

“It’s playing what you see, and not wasting any plays on set ups or anything like that. We’ve got a lot of players that will give us a lot of joy, whether that’s a quick play of the ball or beating someone one-on-one or even a line break.

“I love that stuff as it’s attractive football. Some of our offloads and to play reactive with lads swarming up the middle with pass options and looking to promote the ball was really good. For their education, the young players, they learned a lot. It was tough, it was physical - there were parts of the game I wasn’t happy with but for the majority I was pleased with how the boys dug deep and played for each other.”

Teams and scorers

Hull Starting XIII: Jamie Shaul; Harvey Barron, Darnell McIntosh, Manoa Wacokecoke, Lewis Martin; Mackenzie Harman, Sully Medforth; Kane Evans, Jeylan Hodgson, Will Gardiner; Zach Jebson, Jude Ferreria; Kye Armstrong.

Interchange: Lennon Bursell, Logan Moy, Leon Stewart, Jude Thompson.

Bradford Starting XIII: George Flanagan; Mackenzie Scurr, Todd Horner, Jayden Myers, Will Adams; Myles Lawford, Sam Ackroyd; Marcus Green, Jaden Barraclough, Jansin Turgut; Anthony Dyne, Aidan Scully; Lewis Magson.

Interchange: Bailey Arnold, Ewan Bedham, Harry Grey, Lachlan Holmes.

Hull Tries: Wacokecoke 4, Evans, Barron 3, Ferreira 2, Gardiner. Goals: Harman 9/11

Bradford Tries: Horner, Scully. Goals: Flanagan 2/2

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