Hull take on Wharfedale RUFC this weekend and Gary Pearce’s side will be keen to get back to winning ways after their desperately close finish against Rotherham last time out. Hull have lost only twice this season and both games were away to sides who are as yet unbeaten and on both occasions were within five minutes of recording victory in both games.
A fair case can be made that they did not get the rub of the green on both those occasions, but Hull remain right in the mix with the top sides in the division with more than half the season to be played.
Saturday sees Hull face a side with a well known pedigree in Yorkshire rugby in Wharfedale who have had a slow start to their season but who have shown plenty of improvement in their last three games.
A win against Luctonians away from home, a creditable draw against our local rivals Hull Ionians and a 30-20 loss to Stourbridge suggest a side that they not be a push over.
Hull have had a very consistent scrum and they have been able to call upon the vastly experienced props of Mike Dias, Charlie Beech, Mike Jobling and Ben Bootham which has laid the foundation for regular scrum ball and forcing errors from the opposition including the occasional penalty.
Hull’s catch and drive technique has served them well so far this season resulting in a good number of tries and the pack has driven well in the loose keeping sides on the back foot.
The back division has been very solid and has made good ground from deep in their own half in every game asking plenty of questions of opposition defences.
Saturday’s game will be another good test of Hull’s abilities and with a full squad to choose from, Gary Pearce is optimistic that his team will still have too much for a side who will come to the Chanterlands Avenue hoping to maintain their own improved form.
Richard Gore
HULL RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 