Hull Come Up Just Short In Derby Defeat

A classic derby game ebbed and flowed with each side having the ascendancy but it was man of the match Lewis Minikin who steered Hull Ionians to back-to-back wins to start the season. Hull started well in the hot sunshine and a period of constant forward pressure saw them open the scoring with an unconverted try from Jack Baldry after six minutes.

Hull failed to collect the kick off and then gave away a penalty in front of the posts which was  converted by the deadly accurate Minikin. Hull were finding life difficult at the breakdown and another penalty award to the away side saw Minikin convert from 40 yards to see his side edge ahead 6-5. Hull had some good field position but whilst the forwards drove well, there was no way through a well-organised Hull Ionians defence.

Hull were working hard and had the edge in the scrums but with Ionians quicker to the breakdown they were able to apply pressure and a quick tap penalty saw winger Nathan Hill go in for a try converted by Minikin.

A yellow card did nothing to slow Ionians progress and a good catch and drive saw hooker Ali Forth get the touch down, Minikin’s excellent conversion seeing his side ahead 20-5 at halftime.

The second period saw Hull introduce Charlie Beech and Latu Makaafi and Hull’s forwards continued to cause some problems. It was the home side who scored next with a well-taken penalty by Reece Dean to Hull reduce the arrears to 20-8.

The visitors continued to try and move the ball but Hull’s pack we’re starting to make good ground driving close to the rucks and mauls. Both sides had missed kickable penalties but an effort from halfway by Hull Ionians’ Minikin after 54 months minutes prior to Beech’s try saw Hull trailing 23-15 with 25 minutes to go.

Hull were playing their best rugby of the game and another good run by Beech saw centre Hudson-Kowalewicz sprint over. Dean’s easy conversion saw Hull right back in it and they trailed 23-22 with 18 minutes to play.

However it was Hull Ionians who scored next when Minikin went over and then adding the conversion to take his points total in the game to 20.

Trailing 30-22, Hull had to fashion two scores and despite having lost second row man Liam Regardsoe to an injury, they still applied pressure to the visitors’ scrum.

With penalties coming Hull’s way as the visitors we’re being driven back, Hull achieved a foothold deep in their half. Time allowed just one more penalty kick for Dean to secure a bonus point with Hull Ionians taking the bragging rights.