In what became a game of two halves Hull’s assured handling and all-round good controlled rugby in the first period was replaced by too many errors in the second period, but despite conceding far too many penalties and two yellow cards, Hull held out for a good 40-24 victory against an adventurous Billingham team.
It was Hull’s 400th win in their history. Their open style of rugby produced four first half tries and a bonus point but a late Billingham try got the visitors back into the game on the stroke of half-time.
Billingham commenced the first half scoring with an early penalty by winger Jobe Robby after three minutes. Hull were not slow in responding and after keeping the ball following a lineout winger Bureta Faraimo beat off three tacklers on his was to a try converted by off half Reece Dean after ten minutes.
Just five minutes later Hull won a ball in their own half and a break by Mosese Nasilasila ended with Dean touching down and converting his own try to give the home side a 14-3 lead.
Hull kept up the pressure and Dean worked a run around creating space and Peter Hudson-Kowalewicz ran in Hull’s third try after 25 minutes. Better was to come when Hull ran the ball from their own line and a Jamie Shaul break saw winger Hudson-Kowalewicz go in for another great try converted by Dean after 36 minutes to give the home side a 26-3 advantage.
With Hull in command, the visitors raised their energy levels and scored a try right on half-time through back row man John Padley with Rixby adding the conversion to get back into the game 26-10 in Hull’s favour.
The second period saw a complete reversal of the first half with Billingham keeping possession and Hull failing to get field position and making handling errors inviting pressure on themselves. After 20 scoreless minutes, David Halaifonua powered over for a convert try for the home side, who now led 33-10.
Hull defended ferociously as Billingham came back at them and eventually ate into Hull’s lead. Tries by Brown and Jackson both converted by Roxby had the alarm bells ringing for Hull as Billingham reduced the arrears to just 33-24.
A further concerted Billingham attack broke down in Hull’s ‘22’ and Hull’s winger Hudson-Kowalewicz kicked the ball four times on his 85-yard dash to score a dramatic, match-sealing try right on time. Dean’s conversion saw Hull home 40-24.
HULL RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 