Hull RUFC Coach, John Widdowson, was full of praise for his players after Saturday's convincing win over Otley
He said this squad of around 25 players have come together very well and have yet again risen to the challenge. This was amply demonstrated when Hull had to use all their subs on Saturday due to various injuries, but still looked a good side in attack and defence.
From the kick off both sides were looking to play rugby but with turnovers and tough defences forcing the occasional handling errors, fluidity was at a premium.
All this changed when in the 17th minute the ball bounced awkwardly off a Hull player but Ollie Cook gathered the ball and raced through four would-be tacklers on his way to a fine try under the posts which James Cameron had no problem converting.
Otley were quick to respond and it was after one of their moments of pressure near the Hull line in the 30th minute that brought about Hull's next score. The ball was turned over in Hull's favour five yards out and after the Hull pack had driven the ball to near the 10 metre line Godfrey, Hull's new centre, made a fine clean break before sending out a well executed pass to the hands of pacy Will Robinson who rounded his opposite number to go fully 40 yards for a fine try in the corner, which Cameron could not convert.
Hull's half-time advantage of 12-0 was to be improved upon when after quarter of an hour of the second period Hull were able to mount one of their well-drilled catch and drives from a line-out for Devonshire to be credited with the touchdown. Cameron's conversion attempt was perfect and put Hull in a commanding position.
Hull were now looking good for their 19-0 margin and with substitutions starting to be made as Cameron went off injured and his half-back partner Jones joining him, Otley may have sensed a way back. They responded with a well worked try for their right-winger Harris. The conversion attempt by Baldwin failed but Otley's hopes proved false as Hull refreshed their pack with Stephenson, Lamping and Stout coming on with over quarter of an hour to go. The effect of this injection of fresh legs for Hull was another catch and drive try awarded again to Devonshire and although centre Slingsby was unable to make the difficult conversion he made no mistake with a penalty five minutes later to leave Otley well beaten at 27-5.
Match report by Richard Gore