Hull fell just short against Thatto Heath in a feisty encounter at the Uni of Hull on Sunday afternoon, going down 24-32 against the table toppers.
Evie Sexton and Abby Price both scored twice in an inspired Black & White performance, but the visitors walked away with the two points.
Team News
Jack Coates made two changes to the side that comprehensively beat Leigh Miners Rangers 44-0 last time out.
Kayleigh Waller drops out through an ankle injury picked up against Leigh, while Laura Pilmer missed out through concussion.
Hull were boosted by the return of experienced half back Abby Price, while Abbi Turner was also named in the lineup.
The Match
Hull started with a test in defence. Thatto Heath stormed down centre field but the tackle of Sexton ended the threat. Hull then immediately switched defence into attack. A lovely take from Alyx Worth put FC on the front foot, before Poppy Lyon looked menacing down the left edge before being bundled into touch.
In an end-to-end start, Crusaders raced down to the opposite end of the field. A three-strong tackle held up the defender on the line.
It was Hull who got the first try though. A penalty helped the Black and Whites upfield before an offload out of the tackle from Sexton sent Abby Price over. The conversion hit the post. They nearly had an immediate second too, with a last ditch effort from the fullback stopping Key’s skating run.
Thatto Heath hit back after 15 minutes, with the halfback outpacing Lyon to touch down in the corner. The conversion was dragged wide. The away side got back to back tries, with a powerful run from close range enough to touch down. It was converted from dead in front.
Strong defence from Coates’ side pinned the visitors inside their 20 on the next set, giving FC an opportunity to hit straight back. Abby Price took in a short ball and shaped right before going left and getting her second of the afternoon. Ruby Ellis knocked over the extras. FC went back to back. A break from Charlie Lawson have Hull the platform to show what they can so close to the line and it was Evie Sexton who broke from close range to score. Ellis hit the post with the conversion attempt.
It was nearly another for Hull on the next set, but Lawson was held up over the line on the last.
Thatto Heath scored a shock try shortly before half-time. A one on one ball strip saw Baggley lose possession and the winger go in next to the posts. The conversion was on target. Thatto Heath thought they were in again before half time but Poppy Lyon came from nowhere to sweep across and take in the loose ball.
Half-Time: Hull FC 14-16 Thatto Heath Crusaders
FC started the second half on the front foot. A lovely cross-field move to Poppy Lyon went to ground just as it began to look dangerous. Hull thought they were in on the next set though, but the referee adjudged Romano’s pass to her to be forward. They went close again through Ruby Ellis but FC couldn’t get over after a good spell.
The Airlie Birds were metres out again after 50 minutes, with Romano charging through the line and nearly sending Alyx Worth through for a well deserved try.
It was Hull’s turn to defend shortly after. A knock on saw Thatto Heath in good field position. An off the cuff crossfield kick landed kindly into the arms of the forward for a try under the posts. The try was converted.
Hull had the chance to immediately hit back after a penalty was given away by the visitors. Evie Sexton produced a moment of magic to shake off numerous Thatto Heath defenders to charge through the line and score. Ellis couldn’t add the extras.
The away side immediately responded however. A lovely passage of play saw the ball shifted through multiple hands before the halfback straightened up to get her second try. It was converted.
The hectic passage of play continued, with a short kick off giving Hull field position. Romano took the ball in and dancing across the line before picking out a defender and charging past her to score. Ellis added the extras to leave a four point gap with ten to go.
Hull then had the chance to hit the front with a set of six on the visitors line after the Crusaders fullback knocked on. FC went close through Sexton who had a sniff of a hat trick but Thatto Heath were up quick to force a knock on.
The game was briefly stopped following a brawl in midfield. Jade Key was sin binned as a result. The visitors made use of the extra player, shifting the ball out to the centre and touching down in the corner. The conversion wasn’t on target.
Thatto Heath had a chance at another but the full time whistle went as they went close.
Squads:
Hull FC: Leanne Baggley, Poppy Lyon, Charlie Lawson, Alisha Roper, Alyx Worth, Abby Price, Ruby Ellis, Nat Romano, Jade Key, Heather Taylor, Maddie Smith, Rebecca Cowling, Evie Sexton.
Interchanges: Tia Hodgins, Joanna Lamb, Alex Parkin, Georgia Smith, Abbi Turner.
Thatto Heath: Hollie Brussels, Amelia Burton, Ella Hatton, Gracie Bradshaw, Sydney Abbemon Smith, Megan Williams, Isabel Glover, Arabella Reed, Sophie Pollard, Sophie Mitchell, Ella Hall, Amber Harman, Erin McDonald.
Interchange: Rebekah Nixon, Keissey Dougal, Sian Burns, Natasha Garnall, Rebecca Wilkinson, Ellie Holmes.
Scorers:
Hull FC Tries: Price (2), Sexton (2), Romano
Hull FC Goals: Ellis (2/5)
Thatto Heath Tries: Bradshaw, Williams (2), Glover, Reed (2)
Thatto Heath Goals: McDonald (4/6)
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