Hull take on one of the two sides that have beaten them this season when they lost by just two points at Stourbridge with a very late penalty deciding the game. Since then, Hull have only lost to Rotherham to a late score whilst Stourbridge have lost to Fylde and Luctonians. Hull are currently league leaders with Stourbridge sitting in third place. Just behind them lie Rotherham who have two games in hand so Saturday’s clash takes on more significance because of that.
Saturday’s game will probably see the same Hull squad being selected as the one who beat Hull Ionians in a tense and dramatic derby game just before Christmas. Cameron Curry, who has had such a good season in the second row, is still injured so lock Liam Regardsoe will be partnered by Gregory Jones who has performed very well when given the chance.
Duell Trueman has performed very solidly and will be the likely centre partner to Steve Johnson as Ali Heard recovers from a serious knee injury.Hull’s pack have been playing very well this season and with the likelihood that they will have three props on the bench, they will be looking to get the basics right and secure their own ball and pressurise their opponents enough to get turnovers by way of penalties or being a yard faster to the breakdown.
Hull have seen their half backs working well and they have seen opportunities to move the ball quickly and this has seen the backs score some good tries, not least two very well worked scores against Ionians.
Victory against Stourbridge is in no way guaranteed, but Hull will go into this fixture with a quiet confidence that, given that lady luck is even handed, their very good form to date could well see them retain an unbeaten home record.
Richard Gore
HULL RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 