A game played in constant driving rain and a gale force wind was won by a Hull side who showed a little more precision in attack and slightly better handling skills than their opponents to win 29-12.
Hull first try came after a centre field scrum saw Hull’s number eight Adam Brankley break 40 yards before the ball was kept alive by debutant Josh Ratuvou with a clever kick through for full-back Duell Trueman to touch down after four minutes for an unconverted try.
Hull were having the better of the early exchanges and their pressure told again after 22 minutes when second row Jose Uriburu-Gray grounded after a good Hull scrum.
Better was to come for Hull when a Harrogate penalty failed to make touch. Hull ran the ball all the way back to the Harrogate try line and despite knocking the ball on Hull won the ensuing scrum against the head with Adam Brankley, Hull’s number eight crashing over near the posts with Hull’s off-half Harrison Astley adding the conversion after 30 minutes to the home side well ahead 17-0.
In the dying seconds of the half Harrogate made good use of a penalty award and fashioned a catch and drive try awarded to substitute forward Steve Maycock which was not converted after 39 minutes seeing his side trail 17-5 at halftime.
The second period saw Hull have slightly the better of things pinching a Harrogate lineout but Harrogate were throwing everything at Hull. Their efforts came unstuck in the 62nd minute when Hull latched on to another kick by Harrogate with Hull’s centre Bureta Faraimo bouncing off three would-be tacklers before diving over for Hull third try near the posts. Astley’s conversion seeing Hull easing ahead 22-5.
Hull had brought on Latu Makaafi at half time and prop Charlie Beech joined the fray shortly afterwards. This proved a very worthwhile strategy as Hull continued to press and after the forwards had driven to the line it was Beech who barged his way over for Hull’s fifth try to see Hull in charge leading 29-5.
Harrogate kept going and a last minute try after Hull’s Paulos Latu had been yellow carded, was awarded to Maycock and converted by off half Steele was only a consolation for the visitors as Hull ran out 29-12 winners.
HULL RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 