Jake Connor content to fight for his place with Hull FC

Admittedly, the utility back enjoyed his bow on Sunday after coming off the bench to score the winning try in their 12-8 success at Belle Vue.

However, the atrocious conditions – due to pouring rain throughout – meant he had little chance to show the flair that had persuaded coach Lee Radford to recruit him from Huddersfield Giants.

Connor told The Yorkshire Post: “It’s a lot tougher when you’re actually on there compared to watching. I was watching for about 60 minutes, but then got on and realised it was just a mudbath straight away.

“It was that sort of rugby where you just stick it up your jumper, run hard and tackler harder.

“That was one of those games and we ground out the win in the end. It’s frustrating we haven’t got another match now for almost two weeks, but hopefully the toughest game of the year is out of the way now.

“We can watch this back and, though no performance is perfect, hopefully next time out we’ll have better conditions and we can throw the ball around a bit more.”

His try was fittingly scrappy as he picked up the pieces once Wakefield winger Ben Jones-Bishop spilled Marc Sneyd’s crossfield kick in the 67th minute to rescue desperate Hull, who were trailing 8-6 at the time.

In those conditions especially, it always pays to follow-up.

Connor admitted: “Yes, never give up on the play. But I think the real match-winner was right at the end when Fetuli (Talanoa) kicked the ball into touch to prevent them from scoring a try.

“I know I got the winning try, but that saved us a hell of a lot.”

Scott Grix, who rivalled Connor for the full-back shirt at Huddersfield for the last three years before moving to Wakefield over the winter, thought he was going to win it after a kick had found itself over the vacant Hull goalline in the dramatic closing moments.

“He sneaked down the short side and we had to scramble,” added Connor.

“He’s a good player Grixy and I loved playing against him.

“We’ve played with each other for a couple of years now so I know what he’s about and how intelligent he is at rugby.

“There was Craig Huby and Kyle Wood, too, boys I’ve been with (at Huddersfield) for a couple of years so you know what they’re about and you want to get stuck into them.”

Connor came on for Dream Team full-back Jamie Shaul but is equally as comfortable at centre, wing or stand-off.

“We spoke about just being on the bench and if there’s an injury to the backs I can cover any of those or even half-back,” he said.

“I just bided my time and if I didn’t get on and we still won I’d have been happy with that.

“But Shauly came off with a hamstring problem and that’s what I’m there for; to come on and do a job and help out the boys.

“I nicked a try at the end and that’s helped the boys out massively.”

Halifax-born Connor, who scored 24 tries in 61 games for Huddersfield after coming through their academy, fully realises he has his hands full trying to win a place in the Challenge Cup holders’ side.

With the likes of Talanoa, Dream Team centre Mahe Fonua, Kiwi Carlos Tuimavave and Josh Griffin, the centre signed from Salford Red Devils, all competing, plus Australian winger Steve Michaels, who was not selected at the weekend, Radford is not short of options.

Sneyd and Albert Kelly are the starting halves and Tuimavave can play there, too, while of course, at full-back, Shaul has been included in England’s elite training squad ahead of the World Cup.

Connor said: “I must make the most of every chance as I know there’s so much competition.

“That happens in every team. I came from Huddersfield and it was the same there.

“The outside backs here are class. Everyone is fighting for a place, though; there’s no place guaranteed. That’s what we train for – to claim that spot – and I’ll keep doing that.”

Connor maintains he is pleased to be in Hull colours after, at one point, having doubts about the agreed two-year deal when still at Huddersfield. He said: “I needed a change. I spoke to a few clubs, but this one caught my eye and I’m just happy to be here now. I want to focus on playing rugby.”

Meanwhile, Kelly has been charged with a grade B high tackle by the match review panel.

The challenge in the Wakefield game went unpunished at the time and upset Trinity coach Chris Chester as Connor scored the winning try soon after.

Kelly has the option of an early guilty plea, but could yet miss Hull’s game against Catalans Dragons a week on Thursday, maybe opening the door for Connor to show his versatility at No 6.

Hull prop Liam Watts was also cautioned by the match review panel for a dangerous tackle.