Hull FC verdict: Black and Whites thump Sheffield Eagles to secure Challenge Cup quarter-final spot

Hull FC secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup with a 58-12 win over Sheffield Eagles.

Here’s the verdict.

Brett Hodgson sent out a statement about his side’s intentions with his line-up, naming his strongest available team for the clash against the Championship outfit.

The head coach opted against resting the likes of Chris Satae, Ligi Sao, Josh Griffin, Danny Houghton and Jake Connor and it was the latter who got the scoreboard moving with just a minute on the clock.

Spotting a soft spot in Sheffield’s try line defence, the full-back scooted around the ruck and over in front of the travelling fans in the terraced end of Post Office Road.

Hull didn’t have it all their own way but they made their superior size and strength count in the opening stages of the game as their big men rolled the Eagles down the field.

It was the speed of Adam Swift that gave Hull their second try, though, as the winger charged 90 metres down the field to touch down and give FC a comfortable lead.

Connor Wynne produced a fine tackle to deny Matty Chrimes a certain try in the corner and moments later the FC winger could be seen celebrating in the corner after scoring Hull’s third.

Andre Savelio continued his fine form to power his way over the line for the Black and Whites’ fourth and Savelio turned provider to put Wynne over the line once again.

The Black and Whites had one foot in the semi-finals by half-time but they refused to take their foot off the gas in the second half and three quick-fire tries through Griffin, Connor and Carlos Tuimavave saw FC kill the game as a contest.

To their credit Sheffield didn’t let their heads drop and with 20 minutes to go, they finally found a bit of success as former Hull