Second Half Fightback Not Enough To Beat Taunton

A keenly contested game was eventually won by Taunton, but not before Hull’s second half recovery had almost seen them record their first victory.

A bright start by Hull was brought to an abrupt halt when the visitors worked their way upfield and forward pressure saw Charlie Wright touch down near the posts as the ball squirted out of a ruck after seven minutes. Off half Jenkins converting.

Hull seemed about to level up the scores moments later, but a loose pass saw Taunton’s Dart intercept five yards from his own line and race 95 yards to score a try converted by Jenkins. The visitors were looking to increase their lead and with their forwards driving towards the Hull line, Dalton got the try with Jenkins converting after 21 minutes.

Hull gathered themselves and a steepling kick and good follow up tackling that saw Taunton lose possession for Hull’s winger Charlie Rawlins pick up and race in for a try converted by Reece Dean after 30 minutes. With Hull having reached halftime trailing 21-7, they needed an early score in the second half to stay in the game.

Hull’s full back Mike Adlard provided that score chipping ahead and winning the race to ground the ball with Dean converting after 44 minutes. Taunton then had a very good spell and tries from Charlie Wright, with his second after 50 minutes converted by East was quickly followed by another try by Dart which went unconverted but saw them leading 33-14 and seemingly in an unassailable lead after 56 minutes.

Hull were not going to give up without a fight. After 59 minutes, a bullocking run by Loma Kivalu saw Adlard released 50 yards out and he raced over for a great score and Dean’s conversion saw Hull reduce the arrears to 33-21.

A penalty for Taunton converted by Jenkins after 69 minutes pushed the visitors three scores ahead, but a stunning try by Adlard as Hull broke out of their own half converted by Dean saw Hull in touch after 71 minutes. But as time ran out, Hull were left with just one bonus point for scoring four tries, when it could have been two had they drawn to within seven of Taunton who travelled back home with a win to their name.