Bowden making his mark at Hull

Young Hull prop Josh Bowden says he is beginning to feel at home in the first team, after making his third appearance at the weekend.

Bowden, 20, was handed his debut against Salford recently, and has since featured in the wins over Widnes and Castleford, as well as signing a new two-year deal at the KC Stadium.

He has become part of a pack that has helped Hull up to third in the Super League table, with just one defeat in their seven games so far.

He told the club’s official website: “I’ve settled into the team a bit more now and I feel like I belong there.

“When you are just coming into the side, it’s a bit intimidating to be stepping into the shoes of people like Mark O’Meley and Andy Lynch. I felt I had to prove I had a right to be there alongside them, but I’ve been reasonably happy with how I’ve gone and I feel a lot more at home in the team now. 

“Those guys have actually been great with me and couldn’t have done any more to help me. I couldn’t ask for two better role models as a prop just starting his career, but you spend so much time looking up to them that it was a bit strange going out on a field with them as a teammate. 

“But I’m settling into the side now, I’m playing more minutes and I’m really enjoying it. My feet will stay on the ground though, I’ve got heaps more to learn and I’m not taking anything for granted.”

Head coach Peter Gentle said Bowden’s display in the 42-28 win over Castleford on Sunday was his best to date in the Hull first team.