Black and Whites dig deep to maintain push for play-offs

You can say what you want about John Cartwright's Hull FC side in 2025, but one thing that is never in doubt is their grit, their resilience, and their willingness to tough it out.

- By DAN TOMLINSON

Showing their tenacity once again in the face of adversity, they displayed spirit in abundance to keep their playoff push alive, defeating Leigh Leopards 18-12 at the MKM Stadium.

There was a sense of déjà vu about it, with another rip-roaring contest, like March's early-season draw, going right down to the final play.

Like the round four battle, Leigh kept the ball alive after the hooter, going coast to coast, but it was the Black and Whites who this time came up trumps, with teenager Lloyd Kemp getting to the ball first after a Leyther kick and thumping it into the south stand on his Super League debut.

Game, set, and match, with an absorbing fixture swinging one way and then the other before falling into Hull's hands, who were led superbly by Zak Hardaker, who played in the halves again and never backed down.

The veteran, arguably the club's player of the year this season, stepped up when Hull needed him.

They lost Will Pryce and John Asiata to injuries, and after Cade Cust's and Liam Watts' HIAs, they were down to their bare bones, but Hardaker got Hull home.

He doesn’t know any other way.