Hull go to Wharfedale on Saturday after having won their match against promotion rivals Rotherham last weekend in the most dramatic finish seen at Hull for many years. Captain and second row man Cam Curry led from the front as he has done all season and the team responded with that last gasp brilliant winning try by Mike Adlard from Reece Dean’s cross-field kick when down to 14 men.
The game against Wharfedale is as important in another way as Hull must now look to continue to consolidate their position as league leaders. The emotional high from last week’s victory will need to be put into context as this week’s opponents will pose different problems.
Wharfedale have lost their last four games, but apart from the game against Stourbridge, the other results against Hull Ionians, Luctonians and Fylde were close affairs. The Dalesmen’s only other heavy defeats this season have come against Hull, Fylde and Rotherham.
Clearly the Wharfedale side is not consistent, for whatever reason, and this is something to be taken into account and means that the game is certainly not a foregone conclusion especially if Hull find them in good form!
Hull expect everyone who played last week to be fit with the possible exception of prop Charlie Beech who will undergo a late fitness test.
Hull have worked hard all season on defensive organisation which sees them among the most miserly in the country’s top four divisions. They have developed great field awareness which has helped them become prolific scorers as well. Last week’s late try combined that vision with great skill as demonstrated by Dean and winger Adlard.
Hull will look to harness their scrummaging ability and their consistent lineout play in order to establish good territorial superiority which should see scoring opportunities develop.
If they are able to do that, allied to their strong defence, despite the home side having their own scoring potential, Hull should have too much for Wharfdale.
Richard Gore
HULL RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 