HULL FC were unable to scores with 23 out of 24 tackles deep in Toulouse’s territory as Olympique turned on one of the great defensive displays yesterday.
The French club left Humberside with their fourth win of the Super League season but not before repelling the black and whites during an astonishing period of play when Andy Last’s side was basically squatting in their quarter.
A review of the match video shows errors, six-agains and a video referee decision allowed Hull to have the ball for 23 out of 23 tackles at one stage in the final 15 minutes.
“We did everything to lose that game,” coach Sylvain Houles told Sky Sports.
“I thing our defence was heroic. I am so happy.
“I’ve never seen this in Super League from us. The team spirit was outstanding.
“To be under so much pressure for so long, with good players in front who know how to play rugby, know how to create tries.
“They tried everything: coming back on the inside, outside, kicking, grubber. Everything and we came up with the answer.”
Fullback Olly Ashall-Bott played a key role, overcoming breathing difficulties at one stage after shepherding a kick dead and pulling off a trysaver on flying winger Lewis Martin.
“It’s just what we talked about,” he said. “We talked about sticking together and when our backs are against the wall, showing up for each other.
“The last few weeks we’ve kinda not done that. We’ve keeped over when teams put pressure on us.
It was a bitterly disappointing afternoon for Hull caretaker coach Andy Last.
“It wasn’t a great game to be part of,” said Last.
“We had 46 play-the-balls in the opposition’s half which is a massive, massive amount and we just didn’t pose a big enough threat.
“Good players turn up every week and I think we’ve got too many who believe and think they are good players but they don’t deliver week-in, week-out.
“We had too many players today who were four or fives (out of 10). We need them to be seven, eight, nines week-in, week-out.”
Back-rower Connor Bailey suffered a broken shoulder.
TOULOUSE 12 (Cator Ashall-Bott tries Shorrocks 2 goals) beat HULL FC 4 (Briscoe try) at MKM Stadium. Referee: Matty Lynn.
HULL FC: Logan Moy; Tom Briscoe, Harry Newman, Davy Litten, Lewis Martin; Jake Arthur Aidan Sezer; Brad Fash, Amir Bourouh, Harvie Hill, Connor Bailey, Zak Hardaker, James Bell. Res: Cade Cust, Yusif Aydin, Joe Batchelor, Jeremiah Matautia.
TOULOUSE: Oli Ashall-Bott; Paul Ulberg, Matheiu Jussaume, Luke Polselli, Benjamin Laguerre; Cesar Rouge, Jake Shorrocks; Tiaka Chan, Brendan Hands, James Roumanos, Maxime Stefani, Henry O’Kane, Joe Cator, Res: Anthony Marion, AH Wallis, Ellis Gillam, Rob Butler.
