Radford apologises after ugly finish to Hull cup win

James Gordon

Hull coach Lee Radford apologised to television viewers after his side finished with nine men at the end of their 38-20 Challenge Cup win at Featherstone.

The Airlie Birds eased to a seven-try victory, but the game turned sour in the final quarter with six players sinbinned and Bureta Faraimo sent off with virtually the last act of the match.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Radford called it a disgusting end.

There was controversy on 47 minutes when Misi Taulapapa wiped out Jamie Shaul extremely early as the full-back waited for a high kick to come down, with referee Scott Mikalauskas judging it was a mis-timed tackle and awarding a penalty only.

Whether that impacted what was to follow is open for debate, but Featherstone were reduced to 12 men on 55 minutes when history-maker Luke Briscoe was sinbinned for a professional foul on Shaul.

He had barely returned to the field when team-mate John Davies was yellow carded, for a high shot on Jez Litten.

But the game completely went in the final six minutes as three Hull players – Danny Washbrook, Jake Connor and Jamie Shaul – were all sinbinned, as was Featherstone’s Brad Knowles.

The hooter sounded amidst an all-in brawl after Faraimo had put in a completely unnecessary high tackle.

Some will point the finger of blame at the officials, but the players must carry responsibility for the way the game finished and Radford’s apology in his post-match interview perhaps showed how dismayed and irritated he was at how a routine win had descended in to farce, particularly given their injury woe and the prospect of a Hull derby at Magic Weekend next week.

Challenge Cup Featherstone Rovers