Hull FC’s Impressive Victory Under Coach John Cartwright

John Cartwright has made quite an impact as Hull FC’s coach, and while he’s had some remarkable moments already, the recent win at Lee might just be his standout achievement.

It’s hard to ignore that Hull has faced some tough challenges this early in 2025. Injuries and a dip in performance meant they exited the Challenge Cup at the hands of their fiercest rivals, which pushed them out of the playoff spots as the season hit its mid-point.

This match highlighted the difficulty of claiming victory on another team’s ground. Lee’s coach, Adrian Lamb, humorously remarked that Hull mirrored his own team’s playing style, possibly complicating things further, given that several Hull players were former Lee members from last season.

In a way, Hull turned the tables by outplaying Lee at their own game. They dominated early, holding a 26-0 lead at halftime, and even as they didn’t score again in the second half, they didn’t need to. Lee’s two late tries were just a consolation as Hull secured their spot back in the Super League playoff contention.

Cartwright noted, “We’ve had some inconsistent performances, but there are things I value from this team.” Unfortunately, they did face another injury with key player John Asiata, who will undergo scans for a hamstring issue, yet it shouldn’t overshadow the overall encouraging outcome of the game.

Sam Yi made a mark just before halftime, helping to seal that strong lead. Cartwright was pleased with how his players executed the game plan, particularly early on. Cade Cust and Herman Eseese set the tone for Hull, and Lewis Martin’s contribution added to the growing advantage before halftime. Aidan Cesar, marking his 250th appearance, converted all four tries and kicked a penalty, putting Hull in a commanding position at the break. Unfortunately for Lee, they struggled significantly.

Adrian Lamb expressed disappointment, saying, “I didn’t see this performance coming. It was disappointing across all fronts. Soft play like this isn’t typical of our season.”

After the break, Lee showed some improvement, but by then Hull had managed to safeguard against threats even with Asiata sidelined. Edwin Ipape finally got Lee on the board late in the game, but it was clear Hull had established enough of a lead earlier to claim the victory securely.