Hull Dockers vs Hunslet Warriors - match report

Hull Dockers gave themselves a fighting chance of survival after defeating fellow strugglers Hunslet Warriors 24 – 16.

The game was what many would describe as ‘a game of two halves’. The Dockers chalked up all their points in the first half, the Warriors crossed once in the first 40 and kept the hosts scoreless after the interval scoring two tries.

The green and whites, who were without a win since the 12^th July, scored after seven minutes when Rich Dougal dived over underneath the uprights.

Chris Stephenson landed a 40/20 a few minutes later, and his side posted more points when Stephenson’s grubber wasn’t dealt with by the Warriors and Andy Taylor touched down.

The Hull side were finding themselves in Warriors territory frequently in the first half, and they stretched their lead to 22 – 0 when Paul Fletcher spun his way over, and Stephenson stepped his way to the line.

The south Leeds outfit brought the Dockers charge to halt when they got themselves on the scoreboard on the half hour mark. Luke Pennington managed to get the ball down amongst a crowd of defenders. Gary McClelland added the extras.

A killer blow just before the half-time whistle was dealt when Stephenson fired over a penalty goal with the Warriors judged to have stolen the ball.

The attempted comeback from Hunslet began two minutes into the second stanza. Karl Featherstone’s high kick was snapped up by Josh Murphy, who found the kicker, who in-turn found Daryl Gaunt. The ball squirmed out from the half-back’s grasp whilst he was trying to touch down, however, his team-mate, Johnny Dawson planted the ball down.

The visitors were buoyed by their early second half try, and almost grabbed another score. But, Jim Baker was held up on a last tackle play. They did eventually increase their try tally when Baker sent Lee West over in the corner, McClelland’s missed touchline conversion made it an eight point ball game.

Both sides had their fair share of chances inside the remaining 20 minutes, but the Dockers’ first half blitz proved to be sufficient.