Leading 19-5 against the third-placed Stourbridge, Hull were defending their own line with the visitors knocking on the door to potentially close the gap to just seven points. An alert Laurence Cowen intercepted a pass and ran for the opposition line. Just metres short of the line, Cowen was met by a Stourbridge winger who tried unsuccessfully to ground the rampant runner. Cowen had the presence of mind to produce a stunning hand-off over his head to allow Mike Adlard to cross the line for a crucial score. Not only did it produce one of the best moments of the season so far, it secured a 14-point swing and see Hull extend their lead to 26-5 and secure the bonus point in a game that ended in a 48-5 win for the home side. While disappointed, Cowen was grateful that his run was not wasted.
“Obviously I’m gutted as I’m still not on the score sheet yet this season,” Cowen said.
“Unfortunately, the distance was enough for their winger to get across to me, and I picked the wrong fend.
“Thankfully, Mike was around to catch my offload, I was more than happy that came off for the bonus point try.”
The win keeps Hull top of the table and Cowen believes the team are capable to adapt and cope with being favourites rather than underdogs.
“It feels great in all honesty (to be top of the table), I don’t think anyone in the team expected us to be in this position,” Cowen said.
“It’s a bizarre one as obviously many teams have had a lot of cancellations with Covid and weather, but we’ve now beaten Sedgley Park, Fylde, and Stourbridge, and picked up a losing bonus point against Rotherham.
“I guess we’ll have to start realising we are a top of the table team and not the underdogs, but I feel we currently expect a big challenge from everyone we play against, and prepare as such.
“Our scrum, lineout, and defence have been incredibly dominant, but we still expect a challenge from every team we come up against.
“So we’re ready when that challenge comes, and our strike moves have cut through every defence in the league, but we still expect to put the work in to set up.
“I don’t think the target on our back will be any consideration, as Gary said before Christmas we are just enjoying the ride and will be looking to the next challenge.”
HULL RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 