Hull were eventually out gunned by an experienced Rotherham side who were more clinical near the try line than Hull. The visitors had chances in both halves but small mistakes saw three good scoring chances go begging.
Hull scored first as Reece Dean clipped over a penalty in front of the posts after an offside by Rotherham after four minutes The home side responded with a concerted series of drives at the Hull line resulting in a try from winger Jack Render converted by centre Hayes after six minutes.
Just two minutes later, Dean kicked another penalty to close the gap to one point. Hull kept moving the ball and another offside by Rotherham saw Hull’s Dean kick Hull into a 9-7 lead after 13 minutes.
Hull had further scoring chances but a couple of missed penalties and a knock on after a great break by Bureta Faraimo meant that it was Rotherham who finished the half stronger. Hayes kicked a penalty after 35 minutes then right on half-time a forward surge saw substitute forward Chapps go in for a try converted by Hayes to see the home side leading 17-9 at the break.
The second period saw Hull playing into the breeze and despite some great line breaks by Faraimo, Jogi Logavatu and Peter Hudson-Kowalewicz saw passes go astray at the vital moment. Rotherham kept the scoreboard ticking over with two Hayes penalties after 46 and 51 minutes.
A further try from a catch and drive to Zak Poole converted by Hayes after 60 minutes concluded the scoring. Hull never gave up running the ball from deep in their own half but some lost line outs at vital moments didn’t help Hull’s cause as they fell to defeat but denied Rotherham a further bonus point limiting them to three tries.
Hull played some good rugby and can feel they should have had a couple of tries with slightly better finishing.
📸 Photo by Dave Winn (@dmwphoto_74)
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