Hull FC Secures Comeback Victory Over Catalans Dragons with Late Drop Goal

Betfred Super League

Catalans Dragons (12) 26

Tries: Staines, Leeming, Rogers-Smith, Darrelatour Goals: Aispuro-Bichet 5

Hull FC (14) 27

Tries: Moy, Martin, Hill, Sezer Goals: Sezer 5 Drop goal: Arthur

Jake Arthur scored a drop goal in the final five minutes to give Hull FC a dramatic comeback win over former coach John Cartwright and Catalans Dragons.

Hull looked set for a comfortable night at Stade Gilbert Brutus when Logan Moy and Lewis Martin scored early tries.

Back came the Dragons, who crossed through Charlie Staines, Kruise Leeming, Edenn Rogers-Smith and Leo Darrelatour to turn the game on its head.

But Hull had the final word and after tries from Harvie Hill and Aidan Sezer to level, Arthur scored a drop goal to give the Black and Whites only their second win in 10 Super League games.

Hull struck first after three minutes when they ran the ball along the line for James Bell to pass to Moy, who cut inside to give Sezer an easier chance of the conversion.

Their second score in the 13th minute was all about desire and Ethan O’Neill knocked back Arthur’s kick for Arthur Romano to pass to Martin to score against the Dragons for the fourth successive game.

The tempo did not drop and Catalans crossed for their first try on 18 minutes when Staines showed quick feet to touch down under the posts.

Sezer kicked two penalties for Hull, first when Alrix Da Costa, who is joining Hull next season, made a head-high challenge on O’Neill and then when Tommy Makinson tackled Harvey Barron in the air.

Catalans cut Hull’s lead to two points when Toby Sexton beat two tackles before passing to Leeming to crash over for a converted score.

Davy Litten had a try ruled out because he did not ground the ball over the line and Catalans took full advantage to take the lead in the 46th minute. Leeming played a beautiful kick with the outside of his right boot for Rogers-Smith to touch down.

Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet added a penalty before Darrelatour picked a pass up off his laces to go over in the right corner to stretch the home side’s lead.

Prop Hill gave Hull hope in the 63rd minute when he dummied and weaved his way for a super solo try before Sezer converted his own score five minutes later to level and set up Arthur for his match-winning moment.

‘Jake’s been outstanding’ – Hull FC reaction

Hull interim head coach Andy Last told Sky Sports:

“It was a nail-biting game, it went right down to the wire. I’m just really proud for the playing group.

“I spoke all week about showing our personality and our performance when it gets tough and to make sure you answer those questions with your effort and your actions.

“To go down like we did in the second half and then find the extra gear when we needed it, with that composed play by Jake Arthur at the end, was great.

“Jake’s been outstanding and to come up with a big moment like that shows what a composed player he is.”

Catalans: Staines; Darrelatour, Cotric, Aispuro-Bichet, Makinson; Sexton, Dodd; Allen, Leeming, Navarrete, Garcia, Rogers-Smith, Da Costa.

Interchanges: Bousquet, Condon, Laguerre, Descalzi; Lis.

Hull FC: Moy; Barron, Litten, Romano, Martin; Arthur, Sezer; Ese’ese, Bourouh, Hill, Batchelor, O’Neill, Bell.

Interchanges: Briscoe, Hutchinson, Lisone, Sao; Salabio.

Referee: Tara Jones.