The battle between relegated threatened Kendal and league leaders Hull turned into a one-sided rout as Hull scored 13 tries without reply and saw two players equal all-time club scoring records.
Such was Hull’s dominance that they could point to a few errors that denied them the chance of passsing the 100 points mark.
Hull started at a high tempo and after two minutes winger Stephen Hihetah burst through half a dozen tackles and from the resulting good field position, Hull’s number eight Joe Stafford was able to force his way over for the first try which was converted by off-half Simon Humberstone.
Five minutes later Hull scored another converted try after a good catch and drive saw the ball retained by the forwards with flanker Rupert Kay getting the touchdown. Humberstone added the conversion.
A brief spell of Kendal pressure soon ended with Hull surging downfield and after retaining the ball for more than a dozen phases winger Keane Naylor sped over for the try converted by Humberstone.
Four minutes later, more Hull pressure saw scrum-half Harvey Harding’s well-weighted chip ahead gathered by Naylor to outpace Kendal for another try converted from a wide angle by Humberstone.
With the game now out of Kendal’s reach Hull were unstoppable and back row man Kay scored a further try after 38 minutes converted by Humberstone.
Hull were relentless and the forwards powered up the field and as the ball was released to Hull’s right good hands saw Hihetah score a try converted by Humberstone.
As the half drew to a close a risky chip ahead by Kendal was collected by the irrepressible Naylor who sliced through a wrong-footed defence to score near the posts allowing Humberstone to convert and see Hull out of sight leading 49-0 at half-time.
The second half was similar to the first with Hull getting a try after just 40 seconds when quick ball gave Naylor some room to bamboozle Kendal on his way to a try near the posts converted by Humberstone.
Moments later, centre-cum-full-back Stephen Johnson burst through from 30 yards for a try quickly followed by another Naylor try as he caught another despairing Kendal kick to run 60 yards for the score.
A few better moments from Kendal were small comfort as Hull scored a further three tries in the last 12 minutes.
Prop Mike Jobling was on hand to power over after 68 minutes and Naylor scoring on 79 minutes after a punishing Stephen Hihetah break had taken play 70 yards. The same player rounded off the day with another dazzling run from deep to take his try tally to seven – an all-time club record.
Humberstone’s five second half conversions took his match tally to 12 successful kicks also an all-time record.
Hull ‘s 16-match winning sequence sees them in a strong position at the top of the league.
Richard Gore
HULL RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 