Hull's coach, John Widdowson, was disappointed with this result and pointed out that the poor start gave his side a mountain to climb and when Hull applied pressure late in the first half they were unable to get the score that might have changed the game.
Hull's kick off to start the game didn't reach the ten yard mark and from the ensuing scrum Sheffield mounted an attack from the half way line and duly scored a fine try through their centre Outram which off-half West converted. The home side then kept possession for most of the next ten minutes and the pressure ultimately told and after some slick handling flanker Pearson plunged over for the home side and West easily converted to give Sheffield a 14 point advantage after only 10 minutes.
To Hull's credit they then had good moments of their own including a seering 80 yard break by winger Wigglesworth but even that came to nought. Just when it seemed Hull might ease back into the game Sheffield landed a killer blow as half time approached when their speedy backs set up winger Broadley for a fine try with West again adding the conversion.
The second half saw Hull's pack assume a dominant position in the scrums and close quarter work but Sheffield's defence meant that despite this Hull came away empty-handed. The next score went to the home side when their backs worked an opening for centre Buchanan who stormed over giving West an easy conversion after just 59 minutes and Hull were backs to the wall.
Hull then staged a mini revival and two excellent catch and drives saw flanker Devonshire credited with two tries but Slingsby couldn't add the conversion from difficult angles. As the game entered its final stages, Hull's forward subs were all used giving players like the very promising Davis-Rice valuable game time.
The last word still went to Sheffield as their full-back picked up the ball 45 yards out and his pace was enough to carry him through the Hull defence and with West adding the conversion Hull were left to consider their penalty count during the game and look forward to having a full squad after the Christmas break.
Match Report by Richard Gore