John Cartwright delivers high praise for Hull’s veteran star after the close win over Catalans.
18:05, 29 Mar 2026Updated 18:12, 29 Mar 2026
Hull FC’s Zak Hardaker was named official player of the match against Catalans Dragons.
Hull FC boss John Cartwright says veteran Zak Hardaker was the difference as the Black and Whites edged a nervy 24-20 win over Catalans, with the star’s leadership proving crucial at the MKM Stadium.
The Black and Whites had to withstand a late comeback from the travelling Dragons, having led 22-0 at half-time.
Hull made a perfect start, with France international Arthur Romano opening the scoring inside five minutes, rising highest to claim a pinpoint Jake Arthur kick against his former club.
Hull were then forced to absorb early pressure on their own line, but their resilience paid off. Lewis Martin crossed for his fourth try of the season after Catalans youngster Lenny Marc – last week’s match-winner against Hull KR – spilled the ball on his own line, gifting the home side a 10-0 lead.
Momentum continued to build for Hull. Logan Moy marked his first appearance of the season with a try at full-back, before interchange prop Sam Lisone powered over with his first touch to give the hosts a commanding 22-0 advantage at half-time.
But the contest turned sharply in the final quarter. Marc made amends by finishing a long-range Catalans break, before Leo Darrelatour crossed twice in six minutes – having earlier been denied on two occasions by solid defence from Tom Briscoe and Romano.
Catalans full-back Charlie Staines then set up a tense finish, racing over from distance to cut the deficit to just two points with seven minutes remaining.
The visitors, without head coach Joel Tomkins due to personal matters, piled on the pressure, but a crucial error from former Hull prop Chris Satae handed possession back to the hosts. Hull capitalised, forcing a goal-line drop-out through influential loose forward John Asiata.
From the resulting set, Moy was taken out in the air, allowing Hardaker to slot a vital penalty and extend the lead to 24-20 – and Hull held firm through a nervy final 90 seconds.
“It was a funny old game – I could sense it coming with about 20 minutes to go,” Hull boss Cartwright said.
“We had so many chances to put them away, even in the back end of the first half, and we didn’t do it. We did what we had to do for about 50 minutes of the game, but the back 30 has got to be better.
“We just got loose defensively and loose with the ball. The first half, there was nothing brilliant about it, but it was just clinical and as we trained.
“Charlie Staines, Toby Sexton and Kruise Leeming came to life. When they get going, those boys are very hard to hold out. I’m not making any excuses, we should have had that game put away in the bank a lot earlier than what we did.”
Veteran utility Hardaker, who is set to pen a new contract extension for 2027, was moved from full-back into the halves in the absence of captain Aidan Sezer and playmaker Cade Cust, and his display was labelled crucial by his head coach – having also kicked four goals from five attempts.
“He’s a coach’s dream,” said Cartwright. “We don’t win the game there without him. He was everywhere. He’s competitive, he’s tough and everything you want in a player.”