Hull FC travelled to Wakefield knowing that a loss would signal the end of their treble hopes, and be a third consecutive post-cup final defeat. Any continuation of their shocking downturn in form could see them finish the season in fourth spot.

For Wakefield, the only prize on offer was that of denying their opponents the title as they are already confirmed as finishing eighth, thanks to an awful points difference against the only side that they could catch on league points.

It was a hot and humid night in Wakefield as the sides took to the field.

The Wildcats more than held their own in the initial exchanges. On twelve a Bill Tupou and Tom Johnstone sixty metre break saw the Wildcats to with twenty, and when Fetuli Talanoa held down to allow his colleagues to get back, he saw yellow in the hand of Mr Campbell.

Two minutes later and Joe Arundel found himself unmarked to take a Craig Hall kick to the corner, come back inside two Hull tacklers, to go over for the opener. Liam Finn kicked the conversion for a great home start.

On twenty-seven Craig Hall saved a try when he held Jamie Shaul up over the line as the FC full-back looked a certainty to score.

Liam Finn was gifted a simple conversion when FC interfered at the play the ball, and on thirty-three minutes it was 8-0.

Four minutes from the break and Danny Washbrook finally got over for Hull's first try of the game when he pushed his way past three Wildcats defenders to dive over the line. Marc Sneyd added the extras to leave his side trailing by 6-8 at the interval.

Hull finally hit the front on fifty-two when substitute Jordan Thompson took a crash ball off Danny Houghton to go ten metres to score between the uprights giving Sneyd a simple kick for 12-8.

On the hour mark Wakefield were somewhat unlucky to have a try ruled out, but six minutes later they did get over when Tom Johnstone scored a spectacular try by the left corner flag off a Craig Hall pass. Finn failed to kick from the touchline and the scores were tied up at 12-12.

On seventy-one Mahe Fonua put in a barnstorming run down the right wing before passing to Johnstone who took the tackle a metre short of the line. A fast play the ball saw Fonua pick up, step to the right, and ground on the line. Sneyd kicked the extras in off the right post for a six point lead.

Despite a couple of scares, the Airlie Birds repelled the Wildcats attacks for the remaining ten minutes and after Sneyd missed both a drop goal and a last second penalty Hull went home with an 18-12 win.

After a two game hiccup FC finally got back to winning ways, but a brave effort from the Wildcats pushed them all the way. This didn't look like second against eighth, more of a game between two pretty evenly matched sides.

Hull will be keeping everything crossed that Warrington don't seal the minor premiership with a win against Wigan tomorrow and that it comes down to a final round match up between FC and the Wolves.

Wildcats: Jowitt, Lyne, Arundel (T), Tupou B, Johnstone (T), Hall, Finn (2G), Anderson, Sio, Aroma, Molloy, Ashurst, Harrison. Subs: Simon, Tupou A, Fifita, Batchelor.

FC: Shaul, Michaels, Fonua (T), Yeaman, Talanoa (SB), Tuimavave, Sneyd (3G), Taylor, Houghton, Watts, Manu, Washbrook (T), Ellis. Subs: Green, Thompson (T), Bowden, Paleaaesina.

Referee: Chris Campbell.

Attendance: