How we went top of the table

Hull gave an outstanding display of open running rugby, particularly in the second half, to totally outclass a plucky Kirkby Lonsdale side, scoring nine tries in a win that takes them to the top of the Northern Premier League for the first time this season.
The game was preceded by a one minute respectful silence in memory of two of our club members, Richard Lewis and Tony Cook, who were both tragically killed in a plane crash on Thursday evening. They will both be greatly missed.
Hull were soon into their stride when after six minutes of sustained pressure Joe Stafford crashed over from close range for a try converted by Steve Johnson. Kirkby Lonsdale came more into the game after that and after missing a penalty goal attempt in the 17th minute an astute kick to the right-hand corner saw full-back Lewis Williams win the race to get the touch down.
Hull hit back with a period of heavy pressure and several scrums which eventually saw a Kirkby prop yellow carded and in the 34th minute a fine cross-field move from left to right resulted in Steve Johnson crossing in the right corner for a try which he converted from wide out. 14-5 and when a fine kick from Simon Humberstone had put Hull in a good position in a move up the right flank in the 37th minute was finished off by Rupert Kay but the conversion was missed.
Kirkby opened the second half brightly but Hull soon began to take control again and in the 48th minute a flowing cross-field move across the face of the posts saw Steve Hihetah score in the left corner for the bonus point try, which was too far out to be converted. Three minutes later a strong break from Johnson was taken on at half-way by Hihetah who raced in under the posts leaving Johnson with an easy conversion to give his side a 31-5 lead.
Hull were now in rampaging form and tore back into the heart of the Kirkby defence and their forward power forced a pushover try with Kay getting the final touch ten yards from touch. Johnson landed a superb conversion from wide out.
Hull now hit a purple patch which saw them score three tries in four minutes beginning with some fine approach work before Joe Stafford broke the Kirkby cover to race 25 yards to score near the corner followed by another fine conversion from wide out by Johnson.
This was in the 70th minute and after taking the restart Hull worked their way to the half-way line where Hihetah broke away down the left wing to score his third try in the corner with the conversion going wide and Hull now led by 50-5.
In the 74th minute a break out of defence by Johnson saw a carbon-copy of the previous try when the irrepressible Hihetah scorched down the left wing to score in the corner leaving Johnson to kick an immaculate conversion from the touch line. His tally of six goals from nine attempts on such a windy day was one of the highlights of the afternoon.
Hull’s relentless forward power, allied to the pace of their backs, had proved too much for the visitors to handle and resulted in the collapse of the Kirkby defence in the second half. It was a complete team victory.