Hull FC ended their 2018 pre-season with a victory, beating the Catalans 24-10 in wintry conditions at the KCOM Stadium.
Tries from new signings Mickey Paea and Bureta Faraimo helped the Black & Whites on their way, as Hull picked up their first win of their pre-season schedule.
With Lee Radford naming a stronger side to face the Dragons than against Hull KR last week, the game offered an opportunity for a plethora of first team faces to make their first appearances of 2018, including Albert Kelly, Fetuli Talanoa and Carlos Tuimavave.
Meanwhile, Catalans coach Steve McNamara named one of his strongest possible sides, featuring PNG star David Mead who made his debut for the club.
The early stages of the game immediately set the bar for new signing Bureta Faraimo, with a huge hit of Lucas Albert with his first carry of the ball getting the Hull FC fans off their feet.
It was the Dragons who were the most threatening side in the opening stages, with half-back Luke Walsh dominating the game with his pinpoint kicking. But FC’s defense held strong.
First blood went to the hosts after 18 minutes as Faraimo got the better of several Dragons defenders down the right flank to score an impressive try on his debut for the club.
It was another new, or returning, face who scored Hull’s second try of the game on the half-hour mark, with Mickey Paea making a barraging run through the Dragons defense to score under the sticks.
But the French outfit hit back shortly before the break as Jodie Broughton slid over to get the better of Hakim Miloudi in the corner.
Half-time: Hull FC 10-4 Catalans
It wasn’t long before Hull were back on the scoreboard, as Josh Griffin made the most of a dropped ball by Lewis Tierney in the Dragons in-goal.
10 minutes later Hull put themselves further ahead as Fetuli Talanoa slid over in the opposite corner.
Lucas Albert hit back with a score for the Dragons, but some great set-up play from Marc Sneyd sent over Jack Downs in the final stages for his first try in Black & Whites.
Full-time: Hull FC 24-10 Catalans
Airlie Bird's Nest 
Leave a comment