Hull were beaten by a useful Preston Grasshoppers side in perfect playing conditions, but will rue the amount of unforced errors they made which gifted 17 points to the home side.
Hull kicked off but quickly gave away two penalties. Preston made good use them both ending up within a few yards of the Hull line with a lineout on their throw in. An effective catch and drive saw Preston’s hooker Harry Holden touch down with his off half Greg Smith converting after just four minutes.
Just two minutes later another penalty award followed by a catch and drive saw Preston move the ball for their winger Jack Browne to touch down for an unconverted try.
Hull had some better moments but went further behind to a Smith penalty after 14 minutes to see them trailing 15-0 with less than a quarter of the game played.
Hull are a resilient side and a determined attack took them deep into Preston territory and as the home defence became stretched, Hull winger Keane Naylor was put in for Hull’s first try. Hull’s other winger Fynlay Hobson kicked the conversion to get his side back into the contest at 15-7.
Hobson closed the gap to just five points with a well struck penalty after 27 minutes. Hull were now in the ascendancy and with their scrum started to dominate they made good use of a penalty award. The kick to touch and well won lineout setting up the platform for centre Bureta Faraimo to charge over from short range under the posts with Hobson adding the conversion to see Hull take a 17-15 lead with halftime just seconds away.
Preston’s kick off was dropped by Hull in their own 22 metre area and Preston grabbed the chance to put Hull under pressure and a penalty award seconds later was converted by off half Smith to give Preston a halftime lead of just one point.
The second period saw Hull bring on Sam Crane at scrum-half and Mosese Nasilasila into the second row for Harvey Harding and Billy Addy respectively but within 60 seconds, Hull went further behind as another Preston short range catch and drive from a lineout saw their hooker Holden touch down with Smith adding the conversion..
Hull responded and started to get some territorial advantage but a passing movement to Hull’s right wing only ended in an interception by Preston winger Williams who sprinted 85 yards for a try converted by Smith after 52 minutes.
Six minutes later the home side’s scrum-half Ciaran O’Donnell was awarded a try after some intense forward pressure with Smith on target once again to see his side 39-17 ahead after fifty eight minutes.
Hull fought back and as their pressure mounted Preston received two yellow cards in the 63rd and 68th minutes. A tremendous Hull catch and drive was illegally stopped producing a seven point penalty try for Hull but that momentum was short lived as Preston pushed upfield and kicked a penalty goal after 70 minutes.
Hull always looked capable ball in hand and after 74 minutes a great handling move and support running saw Hull’s off half Harrison Astley touchdown for an unconverted try.
The final word went to the home side with another converted penalty by Smith to see his side home and dry 45-29 with Hull wondering what might have been.
HULL RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 