Hull played some exhilerating rugby and scored five tries but it was not enough to take the points as their achilles heel of an adverse pernalty count of 15-5 and two yellow cards proved an obstacle too difficult to over come.
Both sides took some time to settle but it was Wharfedale who struck first with a catch and drive from a lineout close to Hull’s line after a penalty award saw them keep poossesion with prop Jake Armstrong being credited witht the try converted by his off half Jack Geig after fourteen minutes. Hull were soon reduced to fourteen men when back rower Josh Ratuvou was yellow careded for a high tackle and the home side took adavantage of their numerical superiority with centre Oliver Cicognini thundering his over for a try converted by Greig to see the home side fourteen nil ahead after twenty four minutes.
Hull then showed what they could do attacking from deep and full back James Farrar raced over from forty five yards out for Hull’s first try converted by Reece Dean after twenty seven minutes. Eight minjutes later Hull demostrated a near perfect catch and drive near the Wharfedale line with an unconverted try being scored by hooker Jack Bergmanas. Wharfedale’s Greig then kicked a penalty after thirty nine mimnutes but Hull then moved the ball from well inside their oown half with back row man Paulos Latu surging through the home sides defence before releasing James Farrar who beat the cover before passing to Jack Render to touch down .Reece Dean’s conversion seeing Hull lead 19-17 at the break .
The second half saw both sides searching for the win but it was Wharfedale who took the third quarter with two tries . Firstly thier centre Cicognini blasted his way through three tackles to lay an unconverted try for his back row man Jack Pinder. Nine minutes later Wharfedales winger Alfie Weston was put clear around the halfway line to race in for his try. Greig converted to see his side looking comfortable leading 29-19 . Hull had been dangerpus all afternoon from using the ball from well inside their own half and they fashioned another such attack and after a handling move covering seventy yards back rower Noah Marshall touched down for a try that was no more than his heroics deserved. Although this score ,after sixty five minutes ,brough Hull within one score of their hosts a late surge by Wharfedal saw tries by Collinson from a lineout catch and drive and centre Cicognini afte seventy and seventy five minutes, both converted by Greig take the game away from Hull. The visitors never gave up and last minute try after a line out close to the Wharfedale line by Josh Ratuvou who went past three defenders on his way to the line , converted by Reece Dean meant the Hull lost a game they could have won , 43-31 .
HULL RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 