Radford: Hull close in on best form

Hull head coach Lee Radford says his team’s Challenge Cup victory over Catalan on Friday proved they are close to reaching their best form.

Steve Michaels (3) and Jamie Shaul (2) led the try scorers for the cup holders as they eased to a 62-0 win and a place in the last eight of the competition.

Radford said: “It was exactly what we asked for – it ended up being a difficult evening with the injuries, but the blokes that jumped in did a really good job.

“I thought Jordan Thompson epitomised that. He had one of the best games he’s played this year and in an alien position and Washy (Danny Washbrook) played about five positions tonight.

“It was a real cabbage-patch team at the end but everybody played their role really well. We spoke beforehand about knock-out football being important to us and we were pretty close to our best.”

Shaul, who scored the winning try at Wembley in 2016, made his 100th career appearance against Catalan and he was delighted to reach the landmark.

“If someone had told me ten years ago I’d have made 100 appearances I’d have probably laughed in their face, so I’m very pleased and hopefully there’s plenty more to come,” said Shaul.

“I thought the boys turned up with the right attitude and I’m happy we got the job done and we’re into the next round.”