Hull had to make a number of late changes to the team, and despite conceding an early try they defended well and had a couple of chances to score themselves. New back row man Joe Taira was prominent in both defence and attack in a side full of determination. But it was Sale who won 34-7.
Sale were quickly out of the blocks and it took just three minutes for their right winger Brady to cross for an unconverted try following a lineout on Hull’s 10-yard line. Any thoughts that this would herald a substantial score for the home side were seen to be premature.
Hull’s scrum worked well, and Sale were a touch fortunate to see prop Ford only yellow carded late in the first half for head contact that laid low the visitor’s off-half Joe Carlisle. In wet conditions, it was Hull who were starting to work their way back into the game despite Sale’s territorial advantage. A half-time score of Sale 5-0 Hull meant the Chants Ave side were still well in the game.
A dramatic start to the second half saw Sale flanker sent off for stamping. Hull kept Sale at bay for 20 minutes, but a well rehearsed catch-and-drive by Sale saw hooker Brown get an unconverted try on the hour mark.
Hull replied within a minute as Keane Naylor followed a charge down to score a try converted by Reece Dean to keep Hull in at 15-7 in arrears. With Hull unable to deploy their usual forward substitutions, Sale were able to secure a plentiful supply of ball in the last quarter. Hull had two yellow cards to Harvey Harding and Mike Dias which disrupted their rhythm.
Against that background, Sale were able to take a measure of control and tries by flanker Hughes, a penalty try for pulling down the maul, and further scores from off-half Wilkinson and substitute winger Walce with Wikinson converting his own score saw Hull lose 34-7, a score line that slightly flattered the hosts
HULL RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 