Hull RUFC climbed to ninth in National Two North with a hard-fought 17-10 win at Luctonians.
The team’s decision to travel down the night before paid dividends as the visitors claimed their 10th win of the campaign.
The home side started the brighter with Hull defending their line for most of the opening 10 minutes as Luctonians played into a strong wind.
The team’s decision to travel down the night before paid dividends as the visitors claimed their 10th win of the campaign.
The home side started the brighter with Hull defending their line for most of the opening 10 minutes as Luctonians played into a strong wind.
The game’s first points came in the 18th minute with Simon Humberstone converting a penalty as Hull capitalised on good field position.
The visitors were controlling the game and on the half hour mark, their ability to keep the ball alive with several phases of play was rewarded with the first try of the match.
Seeing the smallest of gaps, scrum-half Rob Watts darted through to score with Humberstone adding the extras to give Hull a 10-0 lead.
Seeing the smallest of gaps, scrum-half Rob Watts darted through to score with Humberstone adding the extras to give Hull a 10-0 lead.
The home side caught Hull napping when Liam Regardsoe conceded a penalty. Luctonians took advantage of Hull retreating slowly and following a quick tap penalty, play was spread to the wing for a converted try six minutes before the interval.
With the wind playing a big part in the game, it remained to be seen if a three-point advantage was enough for the visitors in front of a partisan home crowd showing their support by continually banging the advertising boards around the ground.
If they thought that would throw Hull off their game, they were sadly mistaken.
Laurence Cowan and Tom O’Donnell took the game to Luctonians with plenty of telling carries to frustrate their opponents.
If they thought that would throw Hull off their game, they were sadly mistaken.
Laurence Cowan and Tom O’Donnell took the game to Luctonians with plenty of telling carries to frustrate their opponents.
The forwards paved the way for Hull to march downfield to within five metres of the try line. The ever-alert Humberstone saw a chance for Hull to attack the line and after moving the ball through several sets of hands, Lee Birch scored for the second week running.
Humberstone made no mistake with the difficult conversion near the touchline to give Hull a 17-7 lead.
When Luctonians were awarded a penalty eight minutes from time, they decided to take the three points that would ensure they picked up a losing bonus point if there was to be no more scoring in the game.
That turned out to be the case as Hull’s tremendous defence ensured the long trip home had plenty of cheers to go with the celebratory beers.
HULL RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 