Hat-trick Harry helps hammer Hull
Leeds Tykes continue their unbeaten start to the season with a fourth bonus point victory over a spirited Hull side.
The away side took three minutes to open the scoring with a penalty converted by Reece Dean after Tykes were penalised for not rolling away.
It took an interception and a 50-metre, against the run of play, in the twenty-eighth minute from Tykes’ winger Junior Nu’u for Leeds to get their opening game.
After some great hands on the wing from Jake Brady, who was at the centre of much of the action all match, created a two-on-one opening the space for debutant Henry Macnab to show off his speed and dancing feet to score Leeds’ second of the day.
Although it didn’t end in a score, a few minutes later Macnab was side-stepping Hull players and delivered a sublime offload to Seremia Bai Turagabeci.
With two minutes left of the half, Tykes had a series of pick and goes then the ball played to Tom Williams to step his way over the line, Turagabeci converted his first of the day.
Some poor discipline around the break down and players being offside from Tykes gave Hull a penalty, which was successfully converted again by Dean.
Leeds started the second half strong with immediate pressure in the Hull half. Breaks from Will Hardwick, backed up by Toby Williams allowed Ben Dixon to score. It was the second match running that the powerful centre claimed the Tykes’ fourth try for the bonus point. Again, it was converted by Turagabeci.
Hull weren’t giving up and they responded five minutes later in the fiftieth minute with a try from Michael Jobling who crashed over the line after a period of messy play, allowing space for the front rower to score.
The home side weren’t phased by this set back as they responded with a brilliant team try. After a series of support lines and offloads allowed winger Harry Jukes to get the ball, break the defence and score his first of three tries.
Another try was denied not long after the restart when Lucas Walsh broke away and Harwick was clear. The referee judged the pass to be forward.
Minutes later, the Tykes found themselves with a lineout 25 metres out. They decided to maul allowing hooker Adam Brown to make plenty of yards. Another series of pick and goes from the forwards opened up the space on the wing and let Jukes get his second of the game.
Brady found himself on the back end of a high tackle from Hull’s no.4 Alec Renouf who was sent to the bin.
Following a long series of penalties, Tykes’ Tom Collins was shown a yellow card for persistent offsides.
In the final play, Jukes got his hat-trick following a Hardwick break, Macnab juggling the ball, which was sent out Jukes who dodged a few defenders. Turagabeci added the extras.
After the match, Pete Seaborne, Director of Rugby said: “Our defence was massive today as Hull are a big side and have steam-rollered a few teams. We fronted up in the first half and scored straight after the start of the second that put the game to bed.
“The penalty count was high. We need to adjust more to the how the referee is reffing the game. In a tighter game the penalties could affect the outcome.
“That’s the best win out of the four we’ve played so far.”
Assistant Coach, Pete Lucock added: “Credit to Hull who came out fighting and through a lot at us. In games gone by we’d probably had conceded. We’re delighted with the result.”
Final score 41-11
(HT 17-6)
Match centre
Some match photos. Thanks to Gareth Lyons.
Our scorers
Report by Ted Bromwich