Hull end the decade with a fifth successive win

Hull extended their winning run to five with a come-from-behind 16-12 win at Tynedale.

The visitors got off to a flying start when they got a first minute penalty which Simon Humberstone duly turned into three points.

Hull remained in the ascendancy and when they secured the ball 30 yards out after a lineout the pack drove the ball to the line for Tom O’Donnell to spin off the maul and plunge over near the posts giving Humberstone an easy conversion to see Hull lead 10-0 after 17 minutes.

Tynedale made use of a couple of penalties and established a lineout five yards from the Hull line and catch-and-drive saw their number eight Ethan Clake score an unconverted try after 24 minutes.

Hull then found themselves under increasing pressure as Tynedale dominated possession as their first phase was operating well and Hull were giving away too many penalties.

Hull’s woes increased when their second row forward Cameron Curry was yellow carded for a high tackle.

As half-time approached, Tynedale’s pressure told and a quick tap penalty saw their scrum half react too quickly for Hull as he raced over for a try converted by his off half Will Haydon-Woods to see Tynedale leading 12-10 at the break.

The second half saw Hull change tactics and Humberstone was looking to keep Hull in Tynedale’s half with a series of astute kicks. Hull’s pressure told with a Humberstone penalty goal in the 55th minute seeing Hull leading by just one point.

Tynedale were content to use kicks to relieve pressure and nearly paid for this when Hull’s full-back Lee Birch caught one of these and went 60 yards before his chip to the line was gathered by the home side.

With neither side able to get a clear upper hand, both sides resorted to a kicking game with Hull enjoying the better territorial advantage.

Hull’s tactics paid off again when they made best use of another penalty award as Tynedale went offside in their own ‘22’ to see Humberstone convert to put Hull ahead 16-12 with three minutes to. Hull then closed the game out to win there fifth game in a row.

Richard Gore