Hull off the mark in derby while late rally stops buoyant Students

They got off to a good start with a James Cameron penalty in the third minute but after that Harrogate had by far the better of the exchanges and made the most of two defensive errors by Hull to score tries in the 27th and 32nd minutes through winger Noel Minikin and centre Luke Edwards.

Joe Rowntree was unable to convert either of them and it was not until the final minute of the first period that Hull could to draw level.

A strong burst out of midfield by No 8 Ollie Cook split the ‘Gate defence and supporting winger Will Robinson was on hand to take Cook’s pass to score beneath the posts, leaving Cameron an easy conversion.

Hull got the second period underway with another Cameron penalty in the 44th minute and as they got on top for the first time in the game they added two more tries in the 48th and 50th minutes.

The first came after a ‘Gate knock-on gave Hull a scrum in front of the posts and as the ball was moved to the right Guy Martinson provided the final pass for centre James Kirk to score in the right-hand corner.

The second came from a deflection from a kick ahead which saw flanker Antony Maka pick up to beat a man before putting Cameron over near the posts with the latter’s conversion a formality.

Three minutes later, with ‘Gate on the attack, full-back Ed Smithies hit the line to race 30 metres for a fine individual try in the left corner, but the conversion missed.

In the 58th minute Hull won a scrum to push the visiting pack over their line with Ollie Cook getting the touchdown and and the bonus point.

With Cameron’s conversion Hull led 32-15.

Harrogate got their consolation, and a try bonus point, when some heavy pressure resulted in flanker Chris Wilson going in beneath the posts.

Joe Rowntree was able to add the conversion but it was to be Hull’s day as they claimed their first win of the season. They are not third bottom with only two places better off.

Loughborough St 30 Huddersfield 30

Huddersfield scored two tries in the final 15 minutes to earn a share of the spoils in an enthralling draw.

Huddersfield made the brighter start, lock Nick Sharpe going over and fly-half Chris Johnson converting neatly from the touchline. Penalties were traded before Johnson slotted his third successful kick of the game to leave his side with a 10-point advantage. However, the hosts came back before half-time with a converted try, although there was some derision from the travelling faithful, who felt there had been a forward pass in the build-up.

Loughborough levelled with a penalty, only for Johnson to kick his side ahead. The home team hit their stride after that, scoring two converted tries and a penalty to lead 30-16. Huddersfield rang the changes and pulled back seven points when winger Adam Sutcliffe scampered over for a converted try.

Then a well-worked move allowed outside centre Tom Owen to score out wide. Johnson was left with the last kick of the match from the touchline to level the scores and he held his nerve.