Wakefield Wildcats defeat Hull to end 16-game losing streak
Last Updated: 02/07/15 9:18am
Wakefield snapped a 16-game losing streak in style with a superb 26-16 victory over Hull FC at Belle Vue.
It looked likely to be a familiar tale when Hull stormed into a 16-0 lead inside 17 minutes but the Wildcats, with three new faces including former Kiwi international Kevin Locke, roared back with four unanswered tries.
While rejuvenated Wakefield gave new Brian Smith his first win as head coach, it was more misery for Lee Radford's Hull following their Challenge Cup exit as they wilted in the sweltering heat and remain deep in trouble in the bottom four of Super League.
Locke appeared to struggle for fitness in his first game for two months but still managed to have his say in two of the Wildcats' four tries.
However, the hero was former Hull scrum-half Jacob Miller, who was a late addition following the withdrawal of an injured Tim Smith and he seized his opportunity in style.
Wakefield, who also gave debuts to Jordan Tansey and Michael Sio, remain rooted to the foot of the table but they will head to the KC Stadium for the return meeting with Hull on Sunday in buoyant mood.
Hull had a new half-back pairing in Jordan Abdull and Jordan Rankin and the former showed an early glimpse of his talent by putting centre Kirk Yeaman through a gap in the Wakefield defence for the game's first try inside two minutes.
Five minutes later Joe Westerman got prop Liam Watts charging into another hole and he sidestepped Locke for another try.
Rankin added both conversions and went over for his side's third try on 17 minutes shortly after Locke had pulled off a try-saving tackle on his opposite number Jamie Shaul.
Leading 16-0 inside the first quarter, the Wildcats were in danger of being overrun but Setaimata Sa was held up over the line and the home side gradually worked their way into the game.
Locke demonstrated his eye for an opening when he gathered Pita Godinet's kick over the Hull defence only to be ruled offside, but there was no stopping scrum-half Miller seven minutes before the break when he went on a jinking, swerving run to the line for a try he converted.
The score breathed new life into the Wildcats, who dominated the third quarter and drew level with two tries in 12 minutes.
Locke was at the heart of them both. His cut-out pass got winger Richard Owen over at the corner and his 50-metre break then created the position for Godinet to send centre Joe Arundel over.
Miller kicked one of the goals and put over a penalty on the hour to edge his side in front for the first time.
With their Challenge Cup exploits taking a heavy toll, Hull tired visibly in the final quarter and Matt Ryan took Godinet's pass to force his way over for the clinching try 11 minutes from the end.
Miller added the conversion and rounded off the scoring with a late penalty as the Wildcats finished in total control.