Two interception tries conceded by Hull in the first half were their undoing in a game they almost won despite gifting the advantage to Loughborough Students.
Hull were 14-0 down after just six minutes as their early pressure came to nothing as firstly Loughborough’s full back Will Kay rounded off a long range attack with a good follow up to collect a bouncing ball to score near the posts after five minutes.
Hull then sought to make amends trying to attack with some good handling but only succeeded in having a loose pass intercepted by centre Josh Lewis near the 10-metre line who raced away to score near the posts. Loughborough off-half Owen Waters converting both tries to see his side 14 points ahead.
Hull then had a couple of very good moments of pressure but it was Loughborough who scored again after 15 minutes through an Waters penalty.
Hull then had a couple of very good moments of pressure but it was Loughborough who scored again after 15 minutes through an Waters penalty.
Hull were trying to get back into the game and Loma Kivalu at number eight and Steve McColl at full-back came on to bolster the side.
Hull continued to look dangerous in attack but were perhaps pressing too hard because after 30 minutes they had another pass intercepted this time by scrum-half Jonny Law who raced over for an unconverted try.
Hull continued to look dangerous in attack but were perhaps pressing too hard because after 30 minutes they had another pass intercepted this time by scrum-half Jonny Law who raced over for an unconverted try.
Hull gathered themselves yet again and a period of consistent pressure saw substitute full-back McColl go in for a try after 40 minutes to see Hull go in at half time trailing 22-5.
Hull came out for the second half and quickly made their intentions clear with a catch and drive try after just 45 minutes which was awarded to hooker Ali Thompson.
A further try from the same position just five minutes later credited to prop Mike Jobling was converted by Simon Humberstone saw Hull right back in the game at 17-22.
Hull then dominated possession and territory for the next 20 minutes as their forwards drove relentlessly towards the Loughborough line. Humberstone kept the home side pinned back in their own half with his astute kicking but Hull just could not find a way through an increasingly desperate but effective defence.
Hull’s fourth loss will still give them many positives to take away from a game from which they earned a losing bonus point.
HULL RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 