Hull produced a stunning comeback full of passion pride and skill to overturn a fourteen point deficit and a yellow card after just twelve minutes to come away with a well earned ,and much need victory. Every player worked tirelessly, but forwards Paulos Latu and Alec Renouf had outstanding games with Alec Renouf rightly taking the man of the match award after his all action display that saw him score two of Hull’s tries.
Things did not start well for Hull as they conceded a penalty after just three minutes which Preston put to good use kicking to the right hand corner. Their lineout rumbled forward and when the ball was released their full back Freeman burst over the line under the posts making his own conversion a formality. Worse was to follow for Hull as another penalty induced lineout after eleven minutes saw Preston’s number eight Ailes go in from short range with Freeman adding the conversion to see his side 14-0 ahead and looking comfortable.
As if things weren’t bad enough for Hull their front row forward Jack Bergmanas was then yellow carded and then back rower Josh Ratuvou went off injured with just sixteen minutes played. Hull had lost the first two scrums on their own put in and had lost one of their lineouts but were still just about holding the eager Preston attacks. Hull held out until they were back to fifteen men but their fortunes changed when a mistake saw a scrum to Preston reversed and Hull took their own ball and then the backs combined to race seventy yards up field and when the move was halted around the 22 metre mark prop Loma Kivalu charged on from the ruck and when tackled he popped the ball up to Alec Renouf who crashed over under the posts with full back Reece Dean adding the conversion after thirty two minutes seeing Hull arrive at half time just seven points adrift .
The second half saw Hull continue their revival when a break from deep in their own half by captain and centre Alex Heard was carried on by winger Jack Render but when the move was stopped in the home sides territory, Preston could only bundle the ball into touch. Hull won the ensuing lineout and Josh Ratuvou, who had by now returned, made a break with the irrepressible Alec Renouf in support who burst through a tackle before scoring half way out with Reece Dean adding the conversion. With the scores level the vociferous home crowd were more subdued and when, five minutes later, Reece Dean put Hull ahead with a penalty kick from forty five yards it was quieter still.
However Preston were not going to lie down and yet another penalty , lineout, and catch and drive sequence saw them within a yard of Hull’s line and their number eight Ailes was on hand to add the finishing touches with a try converted by Freeman to see the home side ahead once more at 21-17 after fifty four minutes . With the game in the balance both sides had opportunities but Hull were looking very dangerous in the open field.
Hull’s coach was working his subsitutions to good effect and with just five minutes left another Hull break was halted in the Preston 22 mtre area and when the ball was moved right it was Harry Gunn-Mclean who had come off the bench who rounded off the move with a try in the corner converted magnificently by Reece Dean to see Hull regain the lead and hold on for the last five miutes to secure a famous victory.
HULL RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 