Try Scoring Expert talks Rivals Round Returns

It’s Lewis Martin, Try-Scoring Expert to the Old Faithful.

At just 21-years of age, Martin has lit up the Betfred Super League competition in 2025 and currently tops the try scoring charts with just three regular rounds to go.

He’s crossed the whitewash 22 times in 24 rounds, including nine tries in his last five matches.

The young winger burst onto the scene in 2024, heroically showing up in what was a terribly tough year time for the Black & Whites.

Martin very quickly became a one to watch on Hull FC’s left edge, and fast forward exactly a year, he is now a regular in a completely reenergised team – and one that finds itself in contention for a Play-Off place.

Even Martin has to pinch himself whenever he takes time to think about his journey:

“I still remember Round 1 like it was yesterday. I didn’t know if I was going to be in the starting line-up at the start of the season, so it’s all been crazy and a bit of a whirlwind.

“I’ve loved it though, and I’m really enjoying my rugby at the minute. We’ve got a good mix of older lads and younger lads, and I think the older lads have really mentored us young boys. Their experience has really helped us to grow.   

“I probably didn’t know what to expect at the start of this year. We were a completely new team. But after pre-season I felt really positive, and I knew we had a good group.

“I’ve enjoyed every minute I’ve played so far, and I think I’ve really developed as a player.

“The Play-Offs have always been the goal, and it’s still very possible.”

Coming across a natural, you wouldn’t believe that this Super League speedster had never picked up a rugby league ball until the grand age of 15.

If you didn’t know already, Martin comes from a footballing background and initially knew very little about the sport with an egg-shaped ball – despite being born in a city utterly immersed in rugby league.

In fact, it’s probably one of the most passionate cities possible.

“I didn’t support rugby league growing up – I didn’t even watch it to be honest with you!” Martin admitted, as he tells a remarkable story.

“I played at Hull City from being eight years old, right up until I was 15, and then at 15, I got released and was told I wasn’t quite good enough.”

But their loss was most definitely our gain!

“At the time, it was Matty Faulkner, one of the coaches at Hull FC who said, ‘why don’t I give rugby a try?’ so I went into the academy and here I am today!

“The fact I’m playing Super League every week and top of the try scoring charts is mental. If someone would have said that to me back then – that that’s where I’d be in five years, I’d have been like there’s no way!”

As the old saying goes, anything can happen if you put your mind to it…

And skip ahead to present day, Martin is Hull FC through and through and is gearing up to face bitter cross-city rivals Hull KR in Rivals Round Returns this Sunday.

“I think The Hull Derby is the biggest derby in rugby league,” said Martin, who is yet to taste a victory against the Robins.

“I don’t think there’s a derby quite like it. It splits a city, and all my mates are Rovers fans, so I always get grief from them during the week leading up to it.

“They stand in the East Stand every week, so I’m expecting some stick on Sunday!”

A Hull Derby always produces the fireworks, but emotions and tensions are expected to be running at an all-time this weekend, especially with what’s at stake.

Both sides are reaching the summit of their Final Charges and the mounting pressure and nerves could get the better of them this weekend.

It’s exciting times for the Robins, who could finally lift the League Leaders’ Shield after sitting at the top of the competition tree since Round 4, but this is only guaranteed if they win and Wigan Warriors fail to win against St Helens on Friday Night.

Hull, however, must win to keep their top six hopes alive.

This is coupled with, of course, bragging rights, and Martin fully recognises the importance of their upcoming clash with the enemy:

“Sunday is probably the biggest game of our season, and the outcome could decide our season, so that makes it massive.

“I’ll try and do my best for the team, and I know the boys are really looking forward to this one.

“We want to put in a good performance to take them bragging rights and hopefully put ourselves in good stead for the Play-Offs.”

And the Black & Whites should have all the motivation they need. Firstly, it’s their own season that’s on the line, and secondly, how could they possibly live with being the team that potentially gives their nearest and dearest a chance to lift the Shield?

John Cartwright’s men may be low on some of their key troops with the likes of captain John Asiata, Jed Cartwright, Herman Ese'ese and Will Pryce all sidelined through injury, but Martin believes they have what it takes to get the job done:

“We might have people missing but we’ve got players ready to step up for the derby. We know how big it is.

“We lost to them [Hull KR] earlier on in the year and we’re ready to have another go at them.

“It’s going to be tough, but it’s an exciting one.

“I’m expecting an electric atmosphere, especially at Rovers’ ground. It’s probably the most hostile place in the league for any team to go to.

“And with it being a derby, it’s even more. It’s huge. Even just getting off the bus you’re immediately greeted by the Rovers fans, but that just gives you the edge and determination to go and win.”

It’s also a chance for Hull to get back to winning ways after suffering a disappointing defeat to Leeds Rhinos in Round 24.

“I thought we were good for 25 minutes and then we became the first team to crack and just let them in.

“A couple of errors led to them scoring tries and then the game got away from us. I think the effort was still there, but it was full credit to Leeds on the day and with how they are at the minute.

“We know we need to improve for Sunday.”

This slip up, however, caused the Black & Whites to fall out of the top six at the expense of Wakefield Trinity – meaning their destiny is no longer entirely in their own hands.

But what do Hull FC need to do to ensure they finish in sixth?

“To make the six we’ve just got to do what we’ve been doing all year – play as a team and keep that togetherness,” Martin said.

Lewis Martin is just too strong ?

Can @HullFCOfficial end their winless home run? ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/vz9T262UZG

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) July 10, 2025

“We’ve got some key bodies out and we know we might not to be able to push teams as much as we could if we had those players. So, we’ll need to find that spirit and a way to stay in the game and go set for set.

“It’s definitely going to be tough this weekend and so will the last two games, but we know we’ve got a strong bond within our group, and if we play our game like we know we can, then we give ourselves a good chance of winning.”

For Martin, his future is with the Black & Whites until at least the end of 2028 after he committed long-term to the club back in the spring.

And it was an easy decision for the rising star who believes something special is growing at Hull FC:

“I’m really excited to be a part of this club. It was a no-brainer to sign a new three-year deal when I’m enjoying myself so much. I couldn't imagine playing anywhere else.”

Lewis Martin completes his @hullfcofficial hat-trick with a sensational score ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/4RLmVyyQej

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) July 26, 2025

Touching on the possibility of scooping up the top try scorer accolade, Martin was rather humble:

“It would be nice, but I’d probably trade it for getting into the top six, to be honest! That said, it would be lovely to get it, but I’ve just been doing my bit for the team, haven’t I?

“As a winger, it’s my job at the end of the day to score tries!”

What can we expect from Lewis Martin over the next few years?

“I’d like to be someone who’s exciting and electric to watch on the wing and just a good solid winger,” said Martin.

“Hopefully I grow over the next few years where I’ll be hopefully one of the best wingers in the league. There’s a lot of good wingers that I look up to and I always try and take something from their game and implement it into mine.

“Hopefully in the next three years, my development kicks on and I keep on improving!”

Martin’s name has been thrown into the mix regarding a potential Ashes call-up at the end of the year, but the youngster remains grounded, as he said:

“I think the Ashes the pinnacle of the sport and, you know, to get picked for your country would be unbelievable.

“But let’s not forget it's only my second/third year in Super League and I think I've got a lot of years ahead of me.

“If it happens, it happens and if it doesn’t, it’ll just drive me even more for when the next time comes.”

Are you ready for Rivals Round Returns?

Hull FC will travel to Hull KR in Rivals Round Returns (Round 25) this Sunday (live on Sky Sports, K.O. 3pm).

All six games across Rivals Round will be broadcasted LIVE and information regarding dates, venues and kick-off times can be found here.

There's still time to sign up to SuperLeague+ if you haven't already, with match passes, monthly passes and annual passes all available.