Hull were on the wrong side of the penalty count as well as conceding two yellow cards to one and despite controlling most of the scrummages Hull fell to a strong running Billingham side although a spirited late comeback earned them a much needed bonus point.
Hull showed good intent from the kick off and a searing break by winger Jake Boardman looked certain to result in a try but a handling error near the home side’s try line saw the chance go begging in the seventh minute.
Billingham made the most of that reprieve and after one of many penalty awards they retained possession and an astute kick to the right saw full back Jon Horner catch the ball and dive over for a try well converted by centre Luke Wilson after thirteen minutes. Two unconverted tries by Hull in the twenty third and thirty fourth minutes looked to have turned the tide. Firstly a good break by winger Tom Lineham saw him off load to centre Tom Minns who raced fifty yards to score a fine try. The second score came directly from a Hull catch and drive after a lineout with back rower Josh Ratuvou getting the touchdown.
With the half drawing to a close and Tom Minns having been yellow carded Billingham ran back a Hull defensive kick with centre Joe Pickering getting a try converted by Luke Wilson to see his side head 14-10 at the break.
The second half saw Billingham in dominant mood and twenty one unanswered points through three converted tries put them in the driving seat. Firstly winger Ewan Myers’s rounded off a catch and drive from a lineout after fifty six minutes which was then followed by a quick tap penalty and try to winger Ewan Brown after Hull’s Liam Regardsoe was yellow carded .
A catch and drive after another penalty and line out saw the home side complete their scoring with back row forward Tom Campbell touching down after seventy two minutes. Luke Wilson’s three conversions seeing his side 35-10 in the lead. Hull were not going to lie down and they scored two late tries through good attacking rugby . Firstly sweeping move was rounded off by substitute Janie Shaul after a deft chip into the in goal area by centre Jack Render after seventy seven minutes . Jack Render then rounded off a move in the last minute for Hull’s fourth try to secure Hull’s bonus point with off half Reece Dean adding the conversion to see a final score of 35-24
Photo Credit: Dave Winn
HULL RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 