Hull FC Academy had too much for Castleford Tigers Under 18s, running out 29-18 winners at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle.
At the end of a tense, hard-fought first-half, Hull led at the break – tries from Will Kirby and Callum Barfield put FC 10-6 in front.
A strong start to the second-half put the visitors in the driving seat, with tries from Joe Ward, Jack Charles and Will Hutchinson setting Hull’s Under 18s up for a second consecutive victory.
The Match
It was an attritional start to the game, with both sides battling for territory. And it was Castleford who got their noses in front first. It was a dummy from Corey-Jay Sharpe that broke through the defensive line, and the Tigers’ halfback found Alfie Horwell in support to score.
It took the visitors just six minutes to provide a response. Continuing with their direct approach, Kirby’s strong drive towards the posts saw him somehow smuggle the ball to the ground on the white-striped line.
Bright Castleford fullback Fletcher Rooney thought he had restored the lead for the hosts, but his angled run straight through the defensive line was the result of an obstruction offence and FC were awarded the penalty.
Hull’s first points of the afternoon were earned in a direct manner, but their second try required much more craftsmanship, as they picked off their West Yorkshire counterparts with a slick move to the left edge.
Ben Johnson’s delayed pass drew in the edge defenders, meaning Ryan Westerman was able to catch-and-pass before the Castleford winger could reach him, and Barfield dived in at the corner.
HALF-TIME: Tigers Academy 6-10 Hull Academy
The war of attrition continued early in the second-half, but Castleford were showing signs of flagging within the opening couple of minutes.
Hull recognised that and applied some firm pressure, which led to a third try. Ben Johnson’s wide ball to Lennon Nicholson forced another two-on-one, and the centre was able to find his winger Ward to score, continuing his fine form.
Jack Charles, featuring for the Academy for the first time this season, took some time to grow into the game, but he sprung into life shortly after Ward’s try. His perfectly-timed pass allowed Lennon Clark to pierce through the defensive line, and the Hull halfback had the presence of mind to push up in support and regather possession to score under the sticks.
Charles was then involved in another nice interchanging play a few moments later. Hutchinson’s laser-sharp dart out of dummy-half carved the Tigers open – Charles was there in support and Hutchinson got it back off his halfback to score FC’s fifth.
The Tigers pulled one back as winger Jacob Hall was on the end of a short side play for Castleford.
Taking control of the game, Charles added a drop-goal with just over five minutes to play, taking the visitors into a comfortable three-score lead.
But the hosts managed to get over for two late, consolation tries within the final few minutes as both wingers, Hall and Daniel Sarbah dotted down to reduce the deficit from nineteen points to eleven.
FULL-TIME: Tigers Academy 18-29 Hull Academy
Squads & Scorers
Hull: Johnson, Ward, Nicholson, Westerman, Barfield, Ke,p, Charles, Rea, Hutchinson, Turner, Clark, Calvert, Kirby
Hull Interchanges: Baker, Opie, Smith, Swyer
Hull Tries: Kirby, Barfield, Ward, Charles, Hutchinson
Hull Goals: Charles (4/5), Charles (DG)
Tigers: Rooney, Hall, Jewitt, Lindsey, Sarbah, Sharpe, Windley, Matvejev, Horwell, Walker, Darley, Grice, Hawkhead
Tigers Interchanges: Bullock, Dale, Robinson, Salmon
Tigers Tries: Horwell, Hall (2), Sarbah
Tigers Goals: Sharpe (1/4)
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