A hat trick in the 9s already tonight. I'm not at all close to the reserves performances, but his name does seem to be cropping up as having genuine potential to make it. Can anyone describe him as a player, strengths and development areas, and how far away from debut he might realistically be?

He was the 18th man on Sunday so he might be closer than we think.

Are you at Fax Mrs B?. Whats the squad tonight?

No, but from Twitter:

@James_Smailes
Fc team for 9s: L Briscoe, Williams, Starling, J Briacoe, J Cunningham , Wilkinson, Pickerill, Blades, Wilson, Brown, Norris, Bowden, Crooks

James Smailes
#hullfc win their opening game here in Halifax, beat Bradford 28-13, Ben Crooks gets a hat-trick

James Smailes
speaking of propsects, one of #hullfc coaching staff told me tonight Luke Briscoe is already pushing for u20s selection and he's only 16

James Smailes
Halifax 9s: Game 3; Bradford 4, Wakefield 26. Not good result for Hull who must now beat Fax and Wakey to stay in touch of top four teams

James Smailes
Halifax 9s: Game 4 and at half-time #hullfc 14, Halifax 4. Hull tries for Josh Bowden, Jack Briscoe and Ben Crooks

ben crooks i would say is a couple of years away yet but potentially could be very good, hes a very slight player that can get away with it playing against kids his own age ect but super league is a diffrent standard and for me needs a couple of years bulking up abit and go and play championship rugby

Did a bit about him in the Diary this week really good at timing runs and breaking the line looks like a proper centre too build and balance wise needs to beef up a bit ! Big prospect!

Just on facebook he has a hat-trick in the fax game now

James Smailes
Halifax 9s: Game 4: Hull FC 29, Halifax 14. second-half tries for Lewis Brown, Ryan Wilson and Crooks again, with a Crooks power play try

where going win the nines, where going win the nines

Sounds promising.

Played in the England academy game alongside reece,and both Agar and Long rate him VERY highly.

long long way to go yet

Meh. Losing to Wakey in our last game. which we have to win

Earlier replies I got from Smailes:-

he's got great footwork, a good kicking game and good hands, he's quick too, for me he is the best prospect in the reserve team

not ready for first team just yet, not far off. I think he could make a few appearances next season. He only turned 18 last week

Looks a very good prospect, looks similar to hall, but not as skilful in attack but better in D!

Let's keep him quiet though because everyone who gets bigger up on here ends up not the best, e.g. Hall and Lee

Lewis Brown scores for FC, all level now with Wakey

10-6 to Wakey HT

cum on you uuullaaa

I believe he has a problem doing so, putting weight on , which is related to a problem he had with his intestines when he was born.

Hull lose 18-14 due to power plays taken and not converted.

Crooks scored again to finish with 7.

9s league table after 3 rounds: Cas 18pts, Wakey 14, Leeds 12, Hull 8, Featherstone 8, Bradford 6, KR 6, Halifax 0

"3 wins next week for Hull and they qualify" - Not sure what for, but sounds like we're still in the competition albeit with a big ask next week.

Crooks has looked talented when I've watched the 20's but isn't ready for the 1st team IMO