Denive Balmforth opens up on his dream Hull FC debut against Toulouse Olympique

Hull FC youngster Denive Balmforth says making his debut for last week was a dream come true. The young hooker only joined FC in March from Warrington Wolves, but with numbers missing he was drafted into the first-team squad to face Toulouse Olympique at the MKM Stadium.

He was named on the bench but came on in the second half and managed to get over the line to mark his debut with a try just a couple of minutes after his introduction as the Black and Whites won 48-12. The 18-year-old has a bright future ahead of him in the game, but he isn’t likely to forget his debut against Toulouse in a hurry.

“For any young lad like myself, it’s always difficult coming into a first-team environment, but I can’t speak highly enough of how welcoming the boys have been with me,” Balmforth told the club website. “Obviously, making my debut was a very special moment and a very special day for me.

“It’s something I have dreamed of for a long time now, playing at this level. When Brett told me I was going to have the opportunity to play, I tried not to let it get in my head too much.

“I took as much of a chilled attitude towards it as I possibly could, and I think that showed when I stepped out on the pitch. It was amazing to get on and it was even better to score a try on my debut.

“Brett spoke to me beforehand and said that I would get 20-25 minutes, all being well. But I knew that wasn’t guaranteed, so I was staying grounded. But obviously, the lads took hold of the game and thankfully I got to make my debut.”

Balmforth returned to the academy side on Sunday afternoon and played in the halves as the Black and Whites saw off Huddersfield Giants 48-16.