Hull achieved the double over Wharfedale in a game in which both sides gave an exhibition of attacking rugby with the home side showing more precision and tactical awareness to run out deserved 32-19 victors.
Hull received the kick-off at the start of the game and then kept the ball for five minutes and 26 phases as they worked their way up field with centre Bureta Faraimo on hand to finish off the move on style with a touch down near the posts with Hull’s full back Fynlay Hobson adding the conversion to see Hull ahead 7-0.
Hull then gave a way a penalty after 15 minutes and a good kick to the corner and very efficient line out, catch and drive saw Wharfedale level the scores with a try from Tom Beresford converted by off-half Sam Gaudie.
From the kick off Hull once again retained possession and were able to drive right up to the Wharfedale line with Hull’s backrow forward Adam Brankley scoring near the posts with Hobson getting the conversion to see Hull ahead once again at 14-7.
Wharfedale bounced back immediately but their pressure, including a scrum just five yards brought them no reward until right on half-time when another good catch and drive effort saw hooker Dan Stockdale get the touch down which was not converted to see the home side narrowly ahead 14-12 at the break.
The second period saw Hull with a slight wind advantage and a bright sun now at their backs and they made good use of both. A good kick after a penalty award after just 44 minutes saw Hull use a long throw at the lineout with prop Charlie Beech at the back of the lineout on hand to drive over the line for a good but unconverted try, to ease Hull 19-12 ahead.
Better was to come for Hull as Wharfedale could not free themselves from a stranglehold that saw them pinned back in their own half. A Wharfedale attempt to run the ball from deep was halted on their own 40 metre line when a penalty award to Hull after 53 minutes was well converted by Hobson.
With the visitors continuing to run everything to try and get back into the game Hull took full advantage of a couple of errors. Firstly, after Wharfedale conceded possession, Faraimo found some space and he was unstoppable from 40 yards out to get his second try which went unconverted after 72minutes.
Moments later, Hull’s substitute winger Josh Ratuvou showed his pace bursting through from 25 yards out after a couple of slick passes to score an unconverted try with his first touch and seal the game for Hull, who led 32-12 with just three minutes left on the clock.
In the extended added-on time, Wharfedale made a rare excursion into Hull territory and scored a well-deserved consolation try through Oliver Cigognini, which Gaudi converted to see Hull worthy 32-19 winners.
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