Hull FC got their 2025 season up and running with a 52-6 win over York Acorn in the Challenge Cup third round. Here, Hull Live looks at some talking points.

A win to get going

Job done. That’s the overall assessment of Hull FC’s victory on Saturday. It wasn’t spectacular or anything outlandish like that, but it was satisfactory. It was job done.

In a tie where Hull were never going to get everything their own way, there were some elements that were very good, in particular the direct shape seen off John Asiata, with some decent tries scored off strong running and neat passages of play. But equally, there were some slow and scrappy periods of the game that hardly made for scintillating viewing.

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As John Cartwright said post-match, that was to be expected. There are many contributing factors for that: the pitch, time of year, the opposition, the new-look Hull side, etc., but in the midst of a rebuild, the biggest reality is that it’s going to take time.

However, there is still some promise on show. A lot of that promise stems from Asiata and the dimension he will add to this team, but also from the energy of Lewis Martin. The winger wasn’t on his own, with Ryan Westerman, another young gun, impressing at centre, while many young players thrown in for just the first or second time at senior level held their own.

The only drawback was Hull forcing the play a little. In a slow game, they struggled at times to get into a rhythm, and they made a few errors, but when they went direct and got to the end of their sets, there was a clear base to build on. Tasked with improving on a poor 2024 season, something which seems a guarantee this year, it will be interesting to see how that unfolds in Super League for next week and beyond.

Lewis Martin stands tall

The best thing about Hull FC’s win on Saturday was Lewis Martin. The 20-year-old, as branded by his head coach, was outstanding, giving his selection chances for Perpignan a real boost with a display full of energy and enthusiasm.

It wasn’t just the tries, of which three came, taking his senior tally to 13 in 27 appearances, but his overall workload in the backfield, carrying the ball hard and with vigour, his ability under the high ball, and just his general attitude to work hard and do his bit for the team. The winger looked like he enjoyed himself out there in what was a really strong showing. Credit to him.

Youth is bright

Alongside Martin, Hull fielded a lot of youth, with eight other players aged 21 or under – Logan Moy, Joe Ward, Ryan Westerman, Harvey Barron, Lloyd Kemp, Denive Balmforth, Will Kirby, and Will Hutchinson – taking to the field.

All had moments, with Westerman running strong in particular. The centre has a slick ability to put his winger away, executing two neat catches and passes for Martin’s tries. He also carried well and poked his nose through the line, finding some space and remaining composed with the tee, landing eight goals from his nine attempts.

Elsewhere, Kemp, Hutchinson, and Kirby all got name-checked by Cartwright, who praised his young talent and is clearly right behind the club’s long-term plan to make them the backbone of the future side. On that front, patience is needed, but again, there were a few things to go at.

A few words on Acorn

The National Conference League side deserve a lot of credit for the way they fronted up to Hull. Showing a lot of spirit and heart, they gave everything, fronted up for large parts, and can come away from the tie with their heads held high.

They gave it a real go and got their golden moment as Jordan Myers scored a first-half try, showing there is life, respect, and quality for the amateur game – something that is pivotal to the maintenance and growth of the sport. Fair play to them.

And while on the amateur game, a shout out to West Hull, who came away from Craven Park with a very respectable 38-0 result against St Helens in front of a huge crowd. Just further proof that, despite the naysayers and doom merchants around the Challenge Cup this week, there is a lot to shout about in our sport and its most historic competition. Rugby League wins. It always wins.