Harry Dawkins marked his debut for the club with a vital try in a 30-24 win at Billingham. A late addition to the squad as cover for David Davison, the teenage from Bishop Burton came off the bench to score the fifth try which effectively put the game beyond the spirited efforts of the home side.
Billingham missed the chance to take an early lead as Ryan Foreman’s third minute penalty missed the target. Four minutes later, Jamie Shaul, who was denied a try last weekend in the home win against Preston Grasshoppers, was not to be denied this week. Reece Dean was unable to add the extras, but Hull led 5-0. Foreman found his range in the 24th minute to reduce the deficit to 5-3.
Both sides scored converted tries to end the first half. Hull RUFC prop Tom Bairstow scored his third try of the season with half an hour played, but the home side struck immediately from the restart with Anthony Jackson going over to leave the hosts trailing 12-10 at the interval.
Billingham took the lead through a Foreman penalty three minutes into the second half, but the advantage lasted four minutes as Dean restored the visitors’ two-point lead with a penalty of his own.
Mike Jobling’s fourth try of the campaign put the away side in the ascendency, but Dean’s missed conversion kept Billingham within touching distance. Another Foreman penalty closed the gap between the two sides to four points, but Dean’s unconverted try kept the momentum with Hull RUFC as they led 25-16 after an hour.
Billingham, who are battling against relegation in National 2 North, never gave up and Michael Walton’s try with nine minutes to play, set up a tense and nervous finale. Dawkins had only been called up to the squad at late notice and he scored the try that effectively sealed the win for Hull RUFC, scoring in the left hand corner.
Dean’s conversion was missed and with time running out, Billingham secured a losing bonus point with Foreman landing a last minute penalty.
HULL RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 