Huddersfield on the rise after derby victory as Hull’s forwards crush the Grasshoppers

The Yorkshire derby proved a tense affair, with both sides sharing the lead until a late converted try and penalty from the visitors to Dore Moor proved enough to secure the win.

No 8 Nick Sharp drew first blood with a try just six minutes into the match, and although stand-off Chris Johnson missed the conversion he made amends 10 minutes later when Tigers were penalised at the ruck and he added a penalty to put his side 8-0 ahead.

Tigers were being starved of ball frequently, but when they did get a good bit of possession they took full advantage, No 8 Nick Pearson scoring their opening try on 19 minutes after the ball had been moved quickly across the field and an overlap saw him cross with ease.

The conversion from stand-off Jonny West closed the deficit further, but the home side took the lead on the half hour with full-back Pete Swatkins racing in after a good one-two with Jamie Broadley following a lineout win on the halfway line.

West added the conversion to put Tigers 14-8 ahead at the break, and they held that lead until late in the half.

It took until the 68th minute for Huddersfield to finally break down Tigers’ defence, and Johnson touched down and converted his own try after good forwards pressure saw them camped on Tigers’ tryline.

Now one-point ahead, Huddersfield wrapped up the win with Johnson adding a penalty with just one minute remaining.

Hull Ionians made a perfect start at Luctonians as they once again scored a try in the second minute – but it fell apart after that as they were eventually thumped 45-10 at Luctonians.

Will Du Randt made a break down the flank, chipping ahead for Gary Stephenson to run on under the posts to secure a shock early lead for the visitors.

But it only served to shock Luctonians into life and they steadily took control of the match.

The home side’s pack was a bigger, stronger unit and made life difficult for the visitors in the scrums. Working from the stronger platform, they also held the edge in the loose and only took three minutes to level the scores, flanker Nathan Roy-Smith finding space after destroying the first scrum, with John Morris adding the goal. to level the scores.

Four minutes later, recycled ball then saw hooker Dale Gardner score.

A strong supporting run from Joe Makin set up a penalty which Glenn Boyd added to his earlier conversion, but lost ball in contact saw Luctonians set up winger John Morris to score and add the goal.

The visitors twice went close but were unable to retain continuous possession.

The second half saw Luctonians dominate possession and gaps inevitably appeared against tiring tackles for them to run in four more tries, three of them converted.

The home side’s try scorers were right wing Will Hodnett, No 8 Paul Hulland, second-row Alex Davidson and full-back Charles Meredith.

The last 10 minutes saw Ionians at last making some strong runs by Du Randt, Stephenson and Oli Marns, but the tightest defence in the league did not crack again.

Hull’s forwards always had the edge in the scrummage and lineout which gave them the platform for an exciting victory in a free-flowing game.

A superb short pass from White saw his midfield partner Slingsby race over under the posts enabling James Cameron to add the extras to see Hull into the lead.

Preston were trying to move the ball at every opportunity but Hull’s forwards were powerful at the lineout and a catch and drive saw Devonshire credited with Hull’s second try. Holroyd kicked three penalties to keep the Grasshoppers in touch.

The lead switched hands twice as tries by Wallace and Baines for Preston sandwiched a Cameron penalty. Replacement wing Will Robinson scored a 40-metre try and although Cameron was unable to convert he made amends when Hull sealed victory as Piercy followed an astute kick to cut inside two defenders and score near the posts.