SL Preview: Hull FC v Widnes Vikings
Hull FC will be feeling much more confident than a week ago, as they head into this home clash with Widnes.
A sorry defeat to local rivals Hull KR seemed to have spoiled Easter for the Black and Whites, but they bounced back in style on Easter Monday with a fine win at St Helens.
The Airlie Birds’ squad is boosted by the return of Setaimata Sa, in line for his first game since February.
Dean Hadley is absent with an ankle injury. Jordan Abdull and Jansin Turgut could feature in Lee Radford‘s side.
Widnes go into this game on the back of an Easter Monday defeat to Catalans Dragons in Perpignan. They defeated Warrington, however, on the same night that Hull were losing to KR.
Chris Dean, Gil Dudson, Rhys Hanbury and Joe Mellor all return to the colours for Denis Betts, which should help them in their quest to secure a first away point of the 2015 season.
Prediction: Home advantage will be key here, and Hull will build on last week’s victory at Saints with a solid win by 10 points.
Hull FC (19-man squad): Abdull, Bowden, Cunningham, Houghton, Howarth, Lineham, Michaels, Minichiello, Naughton, Paea, Paleaaesina, Pryce, Rankin, Sa, Shaul, Talanoa, Turgut, Thompson, Westerman.
Widnes (19-man squad): Ah Van, Brown, Dean, Dudson, Galea, Gerrard, Gore, Hanbury, Heremaia, Joseph, Leuluai, Manuokafoa, Marsh, Mellor, O’Carroll, Owens, Phelps, White, Whitley.
Stats:
Leon Pryce needs one appearance to overtake former Bradford and St Helens teammate LEE GILMOUR and move into fifth place in the list of all-time leaders for Super League games played.
Iafeta Palea’aesina is one appearance away from 200 (132 for Wigan, 2006-2010; 41 for Salford, 2011-2012 and 26 for Hull FC, 2014-2015)
Joe Westerman has the longest run of consecutive appearances amongst Super League players, with 53. Westerman last missed a Hull game on 25 May, 2013 – a 22-16 Magic Weekend win against Hull KR at Manchester’s Etihad Stadium. His streak then started on 31 May, 2013 – an 18-6 home win against Leeds.
Kirk Yeaman is one try away from 150 (149 for Hull FC, 2001-2014)
Patrick Ah Van is 14 points away from 500 (210 for Bradford, 2011 and 276 for Widnes, 2012-2015)
Super League Summary:
Hull FC won 10
Widnes won 5
Hull FC highest score: 72-10 (H, 2013) (Widest margin: 70-4, H, 2004)
Widnes highest score: 46-10 (H, 2003) (also widest margin)
Last 10 Meetings:
Widnes 6, Hull FC 56 (SLR16, 13/6/14)
Hull FC 0, Widnes 7 (SLR6, 23/3/14)
Hull FC 72, Widnes 10 (SLR23, 2/8/13)
Widnes 36, Hull FC 16 (SLR5, 2/3/13)
Widnes 42, Hull FC 16 (SLR25, 18/8/12)
Hull FC 58, Widnes 10 (SLR7, 18/3/12)
Widnes 26, Hull FC 50 (CCR5, 21/5/11)
Widnes 18, Hull FC 32 (CCR5, 11/5/08)
Widnes 20, Hull FC 40 (SLR22, 24/7/05)
Hull FC 32, Widnes 28 (SLR9, 10/4/05)