Hull FC returned to winning ways with a commanding 26-12 victory over Leigh at Leigh Sports Village, marking a significant statement as they moved back into the Super League playoff places. This emphatic performance, particularly impressive given recent setbacks, demonstrated Hull’s resilience and ability to respond under pressure.
Hull’s dominance was clear from the outset as they scored 26 unanswered points in the first half. Tries from Cade Cust and Herman Ese’ese gave the visitors an early foothold in the match, setting the tone for what would be a tough night for Leigh. The Black and Whites maintained their intensity, with Lewis Martin capitalizing on a fine break from Will Pryce to further extend their lead. Just before halftime, Sam Eseh added a decisive fourth try, puncturing another gap in the Leigh defense and sending Hull into the interval with a commanding 26-0 advantage.
The flawless goal-kicking display from Aidan Sezer, who was marking his 250th career appearance, was a crucial factor in Hull’s dominance. Sezer converted all four tries and added a penalty goal, helping build an unassailable lead by halftime. His accuracy and composure under pressure provided a foundation for Hull’s first-half dominance, allowing the team to build confidence and control the game’s momentum.
Hull’s coach has experienced some wonderful moments since taking charge three months ago, but this victory may well rank as one of his finest. After a challenging period characterized by injuries and a dip in form that saw Hull exit the Challenge Cup and slip out of playoff contention, this performance was a powerful response. It demonstrated that despite adversity, the squad could rally and produce high-quality, consistent rugby league against a side they had faced recently with some shared personnel.
Leigh, on the other hand, struggled to find any rhythm or impact in the first half. Their coach acknowledged the disappointment in the team’s overall performance, highlighting that the players were soft and underperformed across all areas, a stark contrast to their efforts earlier in the season. Although there were some improvements after the break, the damage had already been done.
Hull’s ability to adapt and get the best out of players, even when forced to play out of position, was another feature of the night. With John Asiata suffering a hamstring injury that required scans and the loss of playmaker Cade Cust later in the match, the squad’s depth and resilience were tested. Yet, the team defended solidly to protect their lead and saw out the game effectively.
Leigh managed to register two late tries through Edwin Ipape, who crossed from dummy-half, and Owen Trout, but these came too late to alter the outcome. The visitors had controlled the game well before those consolation efforts, and their early dominance ensured they never faced serious danger despite losing key personnel.
This victory reestablishes Hull’s position among the contenders as the Super League season approaches its critical phase. It also provides a much-needed morale boost after a difficult run and highlights the team’s ability to perform cohesively under pressure. With the playoffs in sight again, Hull will look to build on this performance and maintain consistency as they chase further success this season.
