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Photos: TK Rohit
Hull showed their class as their second team dominated from start to finish to beat York 3rds 33-5. Fullback Dan Daley left the hosts in his wake, scoring four tries as the York defence failed to get near him.
York were on the back foot right from the off as a second minute penalty put Hull ahead while a try moments later saw them firmly in the ascendancy.
Having come to terms with what had hit them, York grew into the match as the half progressed, with much of it being played in their opponents’ half. Alex Summers’ penalty miss epitomised York’s first half as they failed to convert their possession into points.
Yet Hull continued to look threatening on the break with Chris Rigby making an important tackle. A Dan Daley breakaway right on the stroke of half time was scant reward for the composure York had shown after their disastrous start, with Hull going in 13-0 up at the break.
If York had begun the match slowly, their start to the second half showed little improvement. A Hull penalty made it 16-0 just minutes after the restart. Matters got worse for York moments later as Daley scored his second try of the match. With Hull 23 points ahead, any hopes of a comeback were dashed.
Still there was no let up as Hull continued to press. York struggled to get out of their half as the visitors looked like inflicting further misery on their opponents.
Just as York began to threaten (following a nice piece of play by Tom Finnerty) Daley broke yet again, running through the York backline to make it 28-0.
Even with the match beyond them York continued to press. With five minutes to go Harry Isles got the try their resilience deserved, forcing his way through the Hull defence after York had won a throw deep inside the visitors’ 22.
Yet it was Hull’s fullback who was to have the last word. Having plagued the York defence all match, Daley saved the best till last. Receiving the ball inside his own 22, he beat several challenges to run the length of the pitch and cap off a superb Hull performance with his fourth try of the match.
Despite succumbing to a heavy defeat, Captain Richard Draper praised his side’s character. “It was a good game, York has done well to field three teams this season,” he said. “It was good to see the way the boys kept their heads up in the second half. I thought they played with a lot of heart and they did well to get a try in the corner at the end.”