The Hull FC Academy overcame an early 12-0 deficit to beat Bradford Bulls Under 19s 26-18 at the University of Hull tonight.
Having trailed at half-time, the Black & Whites stepped it up a gear in the second half and dominated for large periods to help secure a victory.
Manoa Wacokecoke starred, scoring a brace, whilst Sam Richards, Lewis Martin and Ryan Morley all scored to help the Airlie Birds see off the visitors.
The Match
The Bulls made a dream start to the match, scoring on just the second play of the game. Sam Arundel spotted a gap on the right edge and broke through. There was still work to do, though, but the second-rower dummied past the Hull fullback and sprinted away to score under the sticks.
Before Hull had even had first possession of the ball, they were gathered beneath their sticks for a second time after Bradford spread the ball to the right edge and scored in the corner through Lewis Adams.
But an action-packed opening ten minutes saw more drama. Callum Rutland’s expert kick into the Bradford in-goal area wasn’t dealt with and Wacokecoke was on hand to punish the error and score in the corner.
As the two sides continued to battle for territory, it seemed as though the scores would remain at 12-4 to the visitors at the interval, but Richards had other ideas for the hosts. Individual talent helped Hull get back to within two points of their opponents when the hooker kicked through for himself, regathered and stepped past the fullback to finish off a sensational solo try.
HALF-TIME: Hull 10-12 Bulls
The Black & Whites made the perfect start to the second half, taking the lead for the first time in the match thanks to Martin’s diving finish in the left corner.
Hull were celebrating when Martin went in at the corner again a few moments later, but the referee had called the play back for a forward pass from Leon Watkinson.
But Wacokecoke had FC back in celebration mode when he dotted down in the corner just past the hour mark, all thanks to a well-weighted pass from Joel Speed.
The Bulls front-loaded their defence when Hull were pinned on their own try line, forcing an error. With ten minutes left, Harry Gray picked up the loose ball and dived over a pile of bodies to score. Myles Lawford’s conversion made it 20-18 to the hosts, setting up a thrilling end to the contest.
However, Hull managed the final ten minutes of the game expertly. Jacob Hookem’s measured kick bounced out for a 40/20 and from the resulting set, Junior Mafi set Morley up with a brilliant offload under the sticks to rubber stamp the victory with just three minutes on the clock.
FULL-TIME: Hull 26-18 Bulls
Squads & Scorers
Hull: Speed, Wacokecoke, Masike, Ferreira, Martin, Rutland, Hookem, Gibson, Yeaman, Laidlaw, Severs, Wallis, Morley
Hull Interchanges: Jackson, Mafi, Petrie, Richards, Trulson, Watkinson
Hull Tries: Wacokecoke (2), Richards, Martin, Morley
Hull Goals: Hookem (3/5)
Bulls: Camden, Adams, Myers, Beety, Campbell, Mail, Lawford, Green, Barraclough, Rowley, Arundel, Flanagan, Heywood
Bulls Interchanges: Briggs, Coleman, Dias, Gray, Horner, Lupton, Orr
Bulls Tries: Arundel, Adams, Gray
Bulls Goals: Lawford (3/3)
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