Hull FC were defeated by Huddersfield Giants in Brad Fash’s testimonial.
15:47, 25 Jan 2026Updated 13:17, 26 Jan 2026
Arthur Romano scores for Hull FC.(Image: )
Hull FC were defeated in Brad Fash’s testimonial match on Sunday afternoon, with Huddersfield Giants running out 28-16 winners at Brantingham Park. The Giants started slowly but with a more experienced forward pack behind them, ended up getting the better of Hull in what was at times a physical clash in East Yorkshire.
Of course, it’s always wise not to read too much into a pre-season game, but despite the result, there were some bright sparks for Hull, and none more so than Arthur Romano. The new signing impressed in the centre spot. Up against a former black and white in Liam Sutcliffe, he ran strong throughout, making plenty of ground and scoring a deserved try.
Elsewhere, Lloyd Kemp was good at full-back, safe under the high ball and heavily involved in attack. He finished the game in the halves alongside twin brother Callum. Young winger Elliot Middlemas also impressed, scoring twice and also doing his reputation no harm with his clean catches and strong backfield carries, while the likes of Rio Kassim started at centre and Jon Turner and Caleb Paleaaesina from the bench.
Playing some experience, John Cartwright opted to start two more of his new signings at prop, Sam Lisone and Harvie Hill, who both played for around half an hour and both looked strong getting through plenty of work. Connor Bailey lined up in the halves before moving to the back row spot in the second half.
Fash started at loose forward but soon moved to the back row after a head injury to Matty Laidlaw early on, getting some valuable and highly involved minutes in the tank following off-season ankle surgery. Yusuf Aydin also put in a monster shift, while on the injury front, Joe Ward suffered a knock to his knee during the clash.
The Giants, fielding some of their own emerging talent among their sizeable pack, led 10-8 at the break. However, it was Hull who hit the front through Middlemas, who gathered a neat chip kick from L. Kemp to score in the left corner.
The home side had the territory to score more points after some poor Huddersfield discipline at the play the ball, but nothing came to avail. Of course, rugby league is utilising stricter punishments for ruck infringements this year, and the Giants were heavily penalised, especially in the first half, but it was the visitors who hit the front after a Hull error, scoring through Fenton Rogers under the posts.
Hull then failed to make touch from a penalty, with Jack Billington running a strong line and finding a massive gap in the FC defence to score. The Black and Whites did hit back before half-time, with Romano on the end of a C. Kemp kick to ground a neat play, but it was Huddersfield who extended their lead into the second half, with Alex Chippindale adding their third try. Middlemas then struck again for Hull, finding space down the left edge after a strong carry from Will Wilson got them on the front foot. L.Kemp supplying the money ball.
But after Hull, who finished the game with several of their young players, went close again, it was Huddersfield who struck down the other end, with Tom Burgess scoring under the sticks. Billington then scored his second try, and the Giants’ fifth, with the away side shutting Hull out at the other end.
They were led well by George Flanagan, with the young full-back, who signed a new five-year deal this week, marshalling his defence to effect. Hull then looked to finish with a flurry late on, and they did just that as C. Kemp went over in the final play of the game. Fash missed the resulting conversion, and that was that.
Teams
Hull Starting XIII: 1. Lloyd Kemp; 2. Elliot Middlemas, 3. Arthur Romano, 4. Rio Kasim, 5. Joe Ward; 6. Connor Bailey, 7. Callum Kemp; 8. Sam Lisone, 9. Will Hutchinson, 10. Harvie Hill; 11. Will Kirby, 12. Matty Laidlaw; 13 Brad Fash
Interchange: 14. Yusuf Aydin, 15. Hugo Salabio, 16. Jon Turner, 17. Jordon Baker, 18. Will Wilson, 19. Finlay Davies, 20. Kieran Calvert, 21. Alistair Swyer, 22. Caleb Paleaaesina, 23. Tyler Eccles
Huddersfield Starting XIII: 21. George Flanagan, 30. Roman Sharma, 3. Taane Milne, 19. Liam Sutcliffe, 24. Connor Carr; 27. Marshall Land, 35. Lewis Jagger; 14. Fenton Rogers, 18. Kieran Rush, 17. Joe Greenwood; 23. Jack Billington, 26. Archie Sykes; 20. Mathieu Cozza
Interchange: 10. Thomas Burgess, 15. Matty English, 16. George King, 25. Jacob Algar, 29. Monty Lumb, 33. Tom Hardy, 34. Alex Chippindale, 36. Woody Potter, 37. Zach Brown
Scorers
Hull Tries: Middlemas 2, Romano, C.Kemp. Goals: C Kemp 0/3, Fash 1/1
Huddersfield Tries: Rogers, Billington 2, Chippindale, Burgess. Goals: Flanagan 4/5