Radford happy to see Pryce make an impact

The former Great Britain international had been left out of Hull’s last three games, Raford preferring Kiwi Carlos Tuimavave at stand-off rather than his old Bradford team-mate.

But the 34-year-old was recalled at Castleford yesterday and came off the bench to quickly create the crucial try, making a half-break to set Jamie Shaul clear when the game had been locked at 18-18, before celebrating by pointing towards the stand.

Hull held on to win 24-22, their first victory at Wheldon Road since 2012, and are now two points clear at the top of Super League after nine successive wins in all competitions.

Asked if Pryce felt he had proved a point, Radford admitted: “The fact he turned away and waved at me after coming up with the match-winning play was a bit of a giveaway!

“Initially, like Jordan Thompson and Dean Hadley, he was disappointed not to be selected.

“But they have responded and applied themselves at training and prepared really well which is a credit to the squad.

“They are putting the squad before individual selection,” he said. “On the game, I’m disappointed really and not pleased with the performance again. But we halted Cas’ momentum a couple of times which we’ve not been able to do here in recent years.”

Castleford coach Daryl Powell saw his side out-score Hull five tries to four but missing regular goalkicker Luke Gale to an ankle injury, they critically only converted once.

“We probably deserved to win the game,” he said.

“The effort was great but we scored pretty wide out and they had a couple of dollies in front.

“Hull are used to winning tight games; they’ve been doing it all year. We got very close but gave a few too many penalties way in the first half and then dropped the ball with the line open in the second.”

Hull FC have continued their recruitment for 2017 with the signing of Huddersfield utility back Jake Connor on a two-year contract.