FC's Cartwright hits back at 'influenced the ref' claim from Powell

HE'S ONE TO TALK, SAYS HULL'S COACH AS WAKEFIELD BOSS REACTS TO LOSS

- By DAN TOMLINSON

Hull FC head coach John Cartwright insists he didn't influence or communicate with referee James Vella at halftime - despite some strong comments from Wakefield Trinity boss Daryl Powell suggesting that he did.

The Black and Whites had a superb second-half comeback to thank for their victory on Thursday night, with Cartwright's side scoring three unanswered tries to record a 16-10 win and end their 355-day wait for a home victory.

However, they trailed 10-0 at halftime, with Powell suggesting that Cartwright's comments, ones that were said to his players but in earshot of Vella, in the MKM tunnel influenced the referee's officiating in the second half.

Wakefield had the better of the opening 40 minutes with a favourable penalty count. However, it was Hull who had all the momentum after the break, with a hefty penalty swing in their favour.

Powell has suggested that the swing was a result of Cartwright's comments. The Trinity boss said: "I didn't like what happened at halftime in the tunnel. He (Cartwright) has influenced things there, saying what the penalty count was.