A young Hull FC side stood tall in defence to record a 16-10 pre-season victory over Castleford Tigers in Joe Westerman's testimonial match. The Fords led at half-time, but it was the Black and Whites who dug in during the second half and who showed plenty of resolve and resilience to grind out a satisfying win on Saturday afternoon.

Fielding many of their young players, they stuck at it after gaining the lead for the first time shortly after the break, and they scrambled hard, showing a willingness to roll up their sleeves and keep their line intact. They did just that, standing tall to edge home a result that, in the grand scheme of things, means little, but in terms of confidence and character building, means a lot more. They are traits that Hull must show on a regular basis this year if they are to improve on last season, and they were here in abundance. Sure, a long road lies ahead, but defensively at least Hull can take something out of it.

In true pre-season testament, the first half saw Hull struggle to get going. There was an element of rustiness as John Cartwright started the game with six of the club's new signings on show. In total, Jordan Rapana, Zak Hardaker, Cade Cust, Aidan Sezer, Amir Bourouh, and John Asiata all pulled on the jersey for the first time, with Rapana impressing the most in the first-half and Bourouh the second. The Kiwi read well in defence, stuck at it in contact, and just made himself available with strong carries and an energy greater than most. He clearly knows when to step in and when not to, crossing over for a deserved try.

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That try was as good as it got in the opening forty minutes for Hull, who spent the majority of it pinned in their own half. Castleford, as challenged by head coach Danny McGuire, started well. They played on the front foot and kept asking questions of Hull, who had to front up defensively, both at marker and on the edge. Again, Rapana was the one to come out with the most credit there, but it was on his edge where Castleford first struck.

A cut-out pass from Judah Rimbu beat Rapana, with Sam Wood the recipient. The centre then had the class to put former Hull loan back Josh Simm in for the opening try. Castleford then had opportunities to extend their lead, but it was the visitors who hit back through their new Kiwi signing, who lined up at left centre—Logan Moy given the nod at full-back—and found space to score.

Hull then threatened again in what were limited good ball opportunities, but their execution wasn't crisp enough to trouble the Castleford line. In turn, a crisp link between lively duo Daejarn Asi and Tex Hoy put Innes Senior into space, with Tom Briscoe backtracking as his opposite man put the ball down.

That gave Castleford a six-point lead at the break, one their early intent deserved. Hull didn't have enough favourable possession to challenge, but their timing and fluency did look a little off, and understandably so given so many new faces and a new system of playing.

They at least defended well for the majority, with the second half seeing a much-changed lineup and a better-looking attack with some younger players given their shot. However, it was an elder statesman who got Hull level, with Jed Cartwright crashing over near the line off Bourouh's pass. The little hooker, who gave a really promising account on both sides of the ball, with neat distribution and a hefty defensive workload, then scampered over himself close to the line, with Hull taking the lead for the first time.

Ringing the changes, Cartwright's side looked more composed in the second half, with teenage half-back Callum Kemp, along with his twin brother Lloyd, standing tall with some neat touches. Both players have a great temperament, coming out of the clash with some credit.

Meanwhile, Hull changed their entire back line in the second half and kept their middles more senior. They kept their hosts at bay with L. Kemp safe under the high ball and the full side digging in. Castleford had the chances, but Hull's desperation told. They took pride in shutting their opponent out, and while the real season starts in the Challenge Cup next week, they can certainly take a few things out of a hard-fought win.

Teams and scorers

Castleford Starting XIII: 1. Tex Hoy; 24. Josh Simm. 3. Zac Cini, 4. Sam Wood, 5. Innes Senior; 14. Judah Rimbu, 6. Daejarn Asi; 15. George Griffin, 9. Liam Horne, 10. George Lawler; 11. Jeremiah Simbiken, 12. Alex Mellor; 13. Joe Westerman.

Interchange: 8. Liam Watts, 16. Cain Robb, 17. Luke Hooley, 20. Muizz Mustapha, 21. Sylvester Namo, 23. Fletcher Rooney, 35. Dan Okoro

Hull Starting XIII: 23. Logan Moy; 5. Tom Briscoe, 3. Zak Hardaker, 1. Jordan Rapana, 2. Harvey Barron; 14. Cade Cust, 7. Aidan Sezer; 8. Herman Ese’ese, 9. Amir Bourouh, 10. Ligi Sao; 12. Jordan Lane, 4. Ed Chamberlain; 13. John Asiata.

Interchange: 11. Jed Cartwright, 17. Jack Ashworth, 19. Brad Fash, 21. Will Gardiner, 22. Lewis Martin, 25. Denive Balmforth, 26. Zach Jebson, 29. Ryan Westerman, 30. Callum Kemp, 31. Hugo Salabio, Lennon Clark, Will Hutchinson, Lloyd Kemp, Will Kirby, Joe Ward

Castleford Tries: Simm, Senior. Goals: Hoy 1/2

Hull Tries: Rapana, Cartwright, Bourouh. Goals: Hardaker 0/1, Westerman 2/2

Scoring System: 6-0, 6-4, 10-4, HT, 10-10, 10-16, FT