It’s only eighty minutes; it’s only one game, and it’s only one round, but given recent and unfavourable history, you could sense the satisfaction connected with Hull FC this Saturday morning. And who can blame them?

Defeating Catalans Dragons 24-4 in the opening round in Perpignan was a statement of intent. Hull were nothing short of outstanding. Defensively, they showed the sort of resilience, character, spirit, and grit lacking in their performances last season.

With the ball, it was again night and day. Hull had better shape about them. There was connection, cohesion, and identity. Led by Aidan Sezer and John Asiata, there was organisation, pattern, and direction mixed with a kicking game. It was a far cry from the woe of recent times.

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Instead, they had smiles on their faces. Joined by fellow new recruits Jordan Rapana, Zak Hardaker, and Cade Cust, Hull enjoyed themselves, and most importantly, they played as a team. Everything is about the team unit—that’s what John Cartwright has instilled in the Black and Whites this winter. They are together. They are one.

That showed in defensive wins, celebrated as equally as the tries. And while the shape was at times crisp and effective, the willingness to dig in and keep their line intact was the biggest thing to take away.

With an improved fitness level spoken of this pre-season, Hull, big on kick chase, kick pressure, and all the unfashionable effort-based areas, scrambled and scrambled. They were assertive. They were desperate. They got numbers into the frame. When Catalans looked certain to score, out came the last-ditch defence. There was passion. There was pride. And as every Dragons play was shut down, confidence grew.

Standing tall, Hull repelled their line superbly. They were under constant pressure in the first half, but they never backed down. They were tough, and they played tough, holding firm and then bringing the ball out. The back three—Rapana, Harvey Barron, and Lewis Martin—were excellent, with Hardaker and Tom Briscoe chipping in. They never stopped carrying the ball, doing the carries not for the faint-hearted. They were seven feet tall.

When they got into good ball territory, they were a threat. Directed by Sezer and shaped up by Asiata’s ball playing, they moved the ball to effect. On the shift play, they looked dangerous, and they also went direct. Both styles resulted in points. The 18-0 half-time lead was nothing short of what they deserved, and despite the adversity of losing Jed Cartwright to a hamstring injury, Amir Bourouh to a HIA, and Sezer—albeit briefly—to the green card, they kept going.

When under the cosh, they hung in there, no matter what disruption was thrown at them. They conceded just one try from a kick—a mad fact given the possession Catalans had. But it shows the resilience Hull had.

They were resolute, together, dogged. They showed all the desired traits that have been far too distant, traits that must become the fabric and identity of this side this year.

And while one result won’t change perception, there’ll be an internal confidence that Hull can kick on and be consistent. That’s the challenge: to build off hard work and effort. And that’s what Hull did in Perpignan.

There’s scope to improve as well. Hull will look to get more of a foothold in games and not rely as much on last-ditch defence. They know they can give away fewer penalties. But the ability to hang in there bodes well.

The fact that Catalans’ only points came when Sezer was off due to the green card speaks volumes. Other than that, they stood tall, with one laughable on-field try call with the ball clearly not grounded overturned by the video referee.

Other than that, Hull were comfortable in a game that lasted for over two hours. And while it’s rude to digress from their performance, the confusion around the green card for Sezer and the delays for captain’s challenges were two major talking points. The review process needs to be shortened, while Hull will look for clarity on why their half-back wasn’t protected—that incident being far from the only late hit on the kicker.

Hull will hold their enquiries on both fronts, but neither takes anything away from their victory. A long road still lies ahead, and nobody in this part of the world will get carried away, but there’s a base to build on at least and signs of a brighter future.

It’s been a while since Hull FC fans, staff, and players could feel like that. So sit back and enjoy it. FC are back. And this is just the start.