Another Record-Breaking Day For Dean As Season Ends On A High

Another immaculate goal kicking display by Hull’s Reece Dean saw Hull win a thoroughly entertaining game by beating Otley 37-36.

Otley were quickly into their stride and after slicing through the Hull defence they managed a charge down from a scrum five yards out and back row forward Sam Waddington was on hand to touch down near the posts with his off half Joe Rowntree adding the conversion after just three minutes.

Hull responded two minutes later with a well struck Reece Dean penalty. Three minutes later Hull took the lead when a turnover ball after a scrum saw Hull’s off half Harrison Astley kick 35 yards across the pitch straight into winger Keane Naylor’s hands for him to touch down five yards in from touch. Dean’s excellent conversion saw Hull 10-7 ahead after 10 minutes.

Otley bounced back and after 23 minutes their centre Jacob Holmes raced through a gap in the home defence to score near the posts with Rowntree adding the conversion to see his side back in the lead 14-10.

In the closing 12 minutes of the opening half, Hull took a measure of control as firstly centre Bureta Faraimo powered over for a try under the posts converted by Dean after 28 minutes. Five minutes later Astley charged down a kick near the Otley line and touched down for a try once again converted by Dean.

A late Otley penalty by Rowntree kept Otley ticking over but the half ended with Hull forward pressure being rounded off with scrum half Harvey Harding forcing his way over for a try converted by Dean to see Hull lead 31-17 at the break.

The second half was a highly entertaining affair with Otley having the better of the early exchanges. Holmes went in for an unconverted try after 49 minutes.

Then came another record-breaking moment for Dean. At Sheffield in the last game, he set a new record for points scored in a single season, breaking James Cameron’s record set in 2008/09. This time, Cameron’s record of 101 goals in the same season was broken with Dean’s sixth successful kick of the game. Importantly, it also opened up a 12-point advantage at 34-22.

Otley’s substitute Ryan Gibson  was awarded a try after a catch and drive with Rowntree adding the conversion after 57 minutes and full back Sam Taylor touched down for a try converted by Rowntree after 63 minutes after some great running rugby.

With time running out and Otley leading 36-34 Dean ended with 103 successful kicks in a single season. But there was still time for drama. Otley were awarded a kickable penalty which would have won the game, but Rowntree was off target with his attempt meaning Hull started and ended the season with wins over Otley.