Ability to last course is Hull's secret to success

CHRIS GREEN says Hull FC's staying power is underpinning their charge for silverware this season.
Hull FC's Chris Green.
 Picture Bruce RollinsonHull FC's Chris Green.
 Picture Bruce Rollinson
Hull FC's Chris Green. Picture Bruce Rollinson

The East Yorkshire club finished top of Super League after the regular campaign following Friday’s 28-20 win at Salford Red Devils.

As well as striving for Old Trafford, they hope to reach Wembley, too, with a Challenge Cup semi-final date against Wigan Warriors set this Friday and prop Green – one of many players who has improved markedly in 2016 – believes it is no surprise given the mentality of Lee Radford’s side.

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They showed it once more at Salford when they battled back from behind to secure a precious victory.

“We’re playing for the full 80 minutes which, after last year, is pleasing,” he said, Hull having finished seventh in 2015.

“We lost a few narrow matches last season by not playing for the full game but now we’re winning and it is becoming a habit.

“We’re a tight-knit group that believes in each other, turning up for each other every week and that’s what we’re doing this year.

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“Everybody put in a good shift at Salford. They’ve got a big side and got some numbers in the tackle to slow us down but we showed some class at the end to get the win.”

The 26-year-old had missed the last couple of games but returned to help prove his fitness ahead of Friday’s semi-final at Doncaster.

He scored a try, too, with a classy solo effort not normally associated with front-rows.

“It must have been the new boots I’ve put on!” he laughed, after securing only his second score of the campaign from Marc Sneyd’s clever pass. “Sneydy travelled up and hit me with a short ball which I’ve been screaming for all year. It was good to get over.”

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Hull have now won 12 of their last 14 games and Radford admitted: “It put us in good stead for the semi final.

“It’s not all been pretty and glamorous this season but it’s become a habit of finding a way to win. Salford are a very good side and I was not surprised by their performance.

“There was little in it and when they went ahead the stadium lifted and they had some wind in their sails.”