Super League: Hull FC 31-24 Wakefield

Steven Michaels has made 17 Super League appearances this season

Hull FC strengthened their Super 8s hopes with a narrow victory over bottom side Wakefield.

The hosts led by two points at the break thanks to tries from Joe Westerman, Jack Logan and Steve Michaels, with Matty Ashurst and Jordan Tansey scoring for the Wildcats.

Logan touched down his second and Jordan Rankin went over with Reece Lyne and Tom Johnstone replying.

Michaels ran in his second and Marc Sneyd's drop goal made it safe.

Hull FC leapfrog neighbours Hull KR into eighth position while Wakefield remain adrift in last place.

Ashurst made his mark in the second minute for the visitors, dummying his way over for his third try in as many appearances.

Jacob Miller kicked the conversion and Tansey added their second try with an 80-metre sprint to the line.

Westerman got one back for Hull and Michaels put Logan over for the home side's second.

Miller then extended Wakefield's lead with a penalty but Michaels came up with a flying finish and Sneyd edged his team in front with a penalty on the stroke of half-time.

After the break Logan touched down a loose ball for his second and Sneyd converted to make it 22-14.

Mickey Paea then carved out a try for full-back Rankin, but Wakefield replied through Lyne who raced onto Ali Lauitiiti's grubber kick.

On the hour, a last-ditch tackle from Rankin denied Johnstone a glorious try, and minutes later Logan sent Michaels over for his second try.

Sneyd then hit the spot with a drop goal to wrap up the scoring and hand Hull FC a narrow victory.

Hull FC coach Lee Radford:

"I'm very relieved. It's been a tough time.

"The manner of it wasn't great but it's a win and we can build on that.

"Jack [Logan] was outstanding. His energy was top drawer, he took his chance with both hands."

Wakefield coach Brian Smith:

"We didn't get a lot of team work or precision but it would have been ridiculous to expect that, most of them not having played together before.

"Six or seven of them were playing their first games for a long time.

"At times it was quite inspirational the way they worked for each other.

"The biggest difference between this afternoon and last Wednesday was the 8-4 penalty count. They had 12 extra sets in the game and that eventually took its toll."

Hull FC: Rankin, Lineham, Talanoa, Logan, Michaels, Pryce, Sneyd, Paea, Houghton, Watts, Ellis, Sa, Westerman.

Replacements: Green, Paleaaesina, Bowden, Thompson.

Wakefield: Jowitt, Johnstone, Arundel, Lyne, Riley, Tansey, Miller, Kavanagh, Howarth, Walker, Ryan, Ashurst, Sio.

Replacements: Crowther, McShane, Lauitiiti, D. Smith.