Victorious Gentle now hoping for lucky omen

The Black and Whites have strengthened their Super League play-off hopes with four wins from their last five matches while Friday night’s 24-6 fifth-round win over Wakefield clinched a place in the Cup quarter-finals.

If Gentle is looking for an omen, he will be encouraged by the fact that Hull have gone on to reach the final on each of the three previous occasions they have knocked Wakefield out of the Cup.

“We upped the ante, we treated it as our biggest game of the year,” said Gentle.

“We knew if we could get through this game, you are down to the last eight and it’s almost within touching distance.

“Everyone sets out their stall early in the year, saying they want to win something. But you’ve got to action it and I believe we are actioning it at the moment.”

Hull look a far more potent threat with major close-season signings Gareth Ellis and Daniel Holdsworth in their side.

Ellis, the club’s new captain, had to wait three months to make his debut after sustaining a foot injury on the eve of the opening match of the season but he looked a class act, capping an impressive display with his first try for the club.

Holdsworth, too, played a key role in Hull’s five-tries-to-one triumph, although Gentle was more impressed by his side’s defence.

“Wakefield are a very dangerous side with the ball so it’s fantastic to hold them to six points,” he said. “I’m full of praise for our defence.”

Hull were joined in the last eight on Friday by London Broncos, who followed up their gritty fourth-round win over Featherstone by knocking out Bradford 25-16 at the Twickenham Stoop, and Sheffield Eagles, who defeated Halifax 28-12.

North Wales Crusaders maintained their 100 per cent record in Kingstone Press Championship 1 with a 12-4 victory over second-placed Oxford.

Andrew Moulsdale crossed for a 20th-minute try and Tommy Johnson’s goal gave the visitors a 6-0 lead.

Matt Fiander went over to get the hosts back into the game but Ryan MacDonald’s try 17 minutes from the end, goaled again by Johnson, gave Crusaders breathing space.

Dalton Grant’s pair of tries helped South Wales Scorpions to a 28-16 victory over Gateshead.

James Greenwood and Grant went over for the Scorpions in the first half, with Courtney Davies and Jack Murphy adding a goal as they took a 12-6 lead into the interval. Jason Payne crossed for Gateshead with Benn Hardcastle adding the extras.

Josh Neilson’s try, converted by Chris Parker, brought the scores level before South Wales took over. David James, Grant and Connor Farrer claimed tries as Joe Brown’s last-minute effort was mere consolation.