Hull FC Falls to St Helens as Coach John Cartwright Expresses Desire to Stay On

Outgoing Hull FC coach John Cartwright expressed his desire to remain in the job until the end of the season, despite the club's decision not to renew his contract. Cartwright revealed he was left feeling 'betrayed and disrespected' by the decision, which he claimed caught him by surprise. The 60-year-old Australian coach was emotional when speaking about his future, stating that he had not been given a clear reason for his dismissal. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his position, Cartwright said he wants to see out the season and is committed to the team. Hull FC suffered a 24-14 defeat to St Helens, but Cartwright was cheered by the home fans, who even chanted his name during the match. The coach has been linked with being replaced by former England and Catalans Dragons head coach Steve McNamara, but Cartwright remains focused on the task at hand. He oversaw a significant improvement in results last season, with the team's win total rising to 13, and believes they can have a 'fantastic year' if they can maintain their current form. The defeat to St Helens was a setback, but Cartwright was proud of his players' performance, particularly in the early stages of the match. Logan Moy scored the opening try, and Zak Hardaker extended FC's lead with two successful kicks. However, Saints responded well and eventually took control of the match, with Noah Stephens and Tristan Sailor scoring crucial tries. The victory was sealed when Kyle Feldt and Harry Robertson scored late tries, securing a 24-14 win for the visitors.