Hull riding the crest of a wave

IN CONTENTION... Oldham-born Jordan Turner could appear against his hometown club tomorrow.

But Agar has plenty of respect for Roughyeds
IN-FORM Hull FC have suddenly taken Super League by storm.

After a poor start to the season, coach Richard Agar’s side currently sit inside the play-off places thanks to a superb — if unlikely — set of results.

First, the black-and-whites comfortably saw off their cross-city rivals Hull KR 36-18 in the traditional Good Friday meeting.

They then stunned Challenge Cup holders Warrington 24-10 on their own patch, before coming close to defeating St Helens on Monday, the teams ultimately ending with a point apiece at 24-24 after Hull had led 18-0 at one stage.

The only cloud on Agar’s horizon is the significant lightening of his pocket this week, after the RFL handed him a £6,000 punishment for breaching operational rules and the sport's Respect Policy after criticism earlier in the campaign of referee James Child. Half that fine is suspended until the end of the season.

Oldham are also buzzing after their recent run in Co-operative Championship One and despite the huge gulf in resources between the respective clubs, Agar isn’t taking the challenge of Tony Benson’s men lightly ahead of the Carnegie Challenge Cup fourth-round clash at the KC Stadium (1pm kick-off).

“We will give Oldham every respect they deserve, but it is an opportunity to play a couple of the young guys and give some of our senior blokes a chance to rest,” said Agar, who could give a run-out to Oldham-born ex-Waterhead and Salford star Jordan Turner.

“It allows them to take some of the wear and tear away as they get ready for our next Super League game.”

Hull FC captain Craig Fitzgibbon, the 33-year-old former Australia forward, is likely to be given a weekend off along with compatriot and fellow ex-Test front row man Mark O’Meley.

Former Wigan full-back Cameron Phelps may return following a hamstring injury, but legendary scrum-half Sean Long is absent as a result of a long-term injury.