Skip to content

Super League: James Webster 'proud' of Wakefield Wildcats after draw with Hull FC

James Webster: Names an unchanged side as Wakefield go in search of a third straight win
Image: James Webster: Wakefield boss maintained unbeaten start in the job

Wakefield Wildcats head coach James Webster had mixed emotions after his team were denied a third successive victory by Hull FC.

The Wildcats went into the contest at the Rapid Solicitors Stadium buoyed by wins over London Broncos and Wigan Warriors in Webster's first two games in charge and looked to be on course for another two competition points when prop Nick Scruton crossed late on.

But Joe Westerman held his nerve to convert Kirk Yeaman's try from the touchline on the hooter to give Hull a share of the spoils from a 20-20 draw.

A point apiece was about right at the end of a keenly-fought contest which saw Hull take the lead three times, only for Wakefield to hit back on each occasion and edge in front for the first time in the closing stages.

Westerman's kick ensured the Wildcats remain two points behind the Black and Whites in the First Utility Super League table.

Although Webster was frustrated by his side's game management at the death, he feels the club have made strides forward since he was promoted from assistant to head coach.

"We got a point today against a really good team," said Webster. "If you match them (the two teams) up salary cap-wise, they are well ahead of us.

More from Super League 2014, Round 18

"For us to guts it out the way we did, I'm proud of my team again.

"(But) we made it difficult for ourselves at times. The reason I'm a bit deflated is we were winning with a minute-and-a-half to go.

"We've got a group of boys in there who are disappointed. Six weeks ago, the way we were travelling, we probably would have been over the moon to get a point against Hull FC. Our mindset has changed; we want to progress as a club.

"We probably let it slip at the end but they played some good footy to get that point so they probably deserved to get something out of it."

Pleasing

The draw meant Hull failed to gain revenge for Wakefield's come-from-behind victory in East Yorkshire last month, but coach Lee Radford was ultimately pleased to take something from Belle Vue.

"We set out every week trying to get the two points and I thought with five or six minutes to go that opportunity had slipped, so to come away with a point was pretty pleasing," said the Black and Whites head coach.

"I thought we started the better side but momentum certainly swung their way in the second half.

"We saw last week (against Wigan) and at the KC Stadium that they are a tidy side when they've got a bit of momentum and some wind in their sails."

The point saw the Airlie Birds move to within four points of Widnes, who hold the final play-off spot, and Radford admitted his men could not afford to lose many more games.

He added: "Our points difference is better than theirs so we are four points off the play-offs. We said before this week we can't afford to slip up and the same rule applies (for the forthcoming matches)."

Around Sky