In a high-scoring game at Chants Ave, Hull came back from a 19-3 deficit to record their eighth win of the season in sensational style. The first 20 minutes belonged almost entirely to Preston Grasshoppers, as Hull gave away a string of penalties.
After just seven minutes the visitors made best use of another penalty with a kick for touch and a catch-and-drive saw hooker Jack Wilkinson touch down for a try converted by off half Will Hunt. After 20 minutes, Preston’s off half kicked astutely to the wing where Spence was on hand to collect and score an unconverted try, with the visitors leading 12-0.
Hull were able to respond with a well taken Reece Dean penalty, but Preston struck again when their centre Jack Lightowler went through a gap in Hull’s defence to touch down. Hunt’s conversion saw his side leading 19-3 with half an hour played.
Hull then went up a gear as centre Bureta Faraimo burst through three tackles to score a great try, converted by Dean after 32 minutes. Faraimo then scored a further try following a deft chip through with Dean also adding the extras. Faraimo’s hat-trick try in the final minute of the first half, came after a Hull lineout on the left saw good handling put Faraimo in at the left hand corner. Dean’s touchline conversion seeing Hull leading 24 -19 at the break.
The second period saw Hull start to dominate, but Preston made good use of yet another penalty to set Hull back with a try from prop forward Jake Pope after consistent pressure on the Hull line and Hunt’s conversion put his side back in the lead 26-24.
Hull had brought on substitute prop Charlie Beech and as they started to get the edge in the scrums and exert pressure, penalties accrued to Hull. Dean made the most of the opportunities with three well struck kicks in the 50th, 60th and 62nd minutes to see his side 33-26.
After 65 minutes, Hull’s scrum-half James Naylor broke clean away after a lineout near half way and and outpaced the defence before rounding the winger to score a magnificent individual try. Dean’s great conversion putting Hull almost out of sight at 40-26.
With just 15 minutes remaining, Jamie Shaul’s try was disallowed which would have put the game beyond the visitors. However, a strong burst by Hunt allowed Preston to score a late try, which he then converted. Trailing 40-33, there was still time for the restart, but time ran out on Preston as Hull celebrated an important and thoroughly entertaining win.
Photo by Dave Winn (@dmwphoto_74)
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