Hull FC Academy showed their defensive resilience in a 44-10 victory over Bradford Bulls Under 18s at the University of Hull this afternoon.
Nick Staveley’s first-half brace helped put the Black & Whites into a 22-6 lead at the interval.
Despite making some careless errors in the second-half, Hull’s youngsters fronted up strongly to limit the Bulls to just another four points, whilst sealing the victory through tries from Mason Opie-Palmer, Charlie Severs, Lewis Martin and Mackenzie Harman
The Match
After forcing a Bradford error in the first set of the match, Hull drew first blood thanks to some neat footwork from Kye Armstrong to create an opening for the loose forward to score under the posts.
Bradford’s rear guard was breached for a second time when Armstrong turned provider to Staveley, allowing the powerhouse prop to get over under the uprights.
Despite Hull’s blistering start, the visitors demonstrated their own ruthlessness in attack as Todd Horner found an inch of space to dot down in the left corner.
Bradford’s spell in the ascendency was short-lived, though, and Harman’s cutout ball to Manoa Wacokecoke allowed the Fijian to power over from close range.
Again, the hosts hit the Bulls with another quickfire double when Bradford’s poor ball-handling skills cost them dearly. An ominous-looking set resulted in a fourth try of the game for the Black & Whites when Staveley dummied through the defensive line to score from 30 metres out.
HALF-TIME: Hull 22-6 Bulls
After a lengthy stoppage due to a head injury, Hull demonstrated their maturity and focus when Opie-Palmer squeezed through the narrowest of gaps to score just moments after the game got back underway.
The visitors weren’t here to make up the numbers, though, and they reduced the deficit to 18 points as Horner got his second of the game in the left corner.
It was from here that Hull became frustrated following a couple of careless errors, but they made up for it with some commendable defensive efforts.
They then bore the fruits of their labours when Staveley found Severs with a lovely pass, allowing the back-rower to score on his return to action following a spell on the sidelines with a jaw injury.
Another difficult spell came and went without further punishment, all thanks to some resolute defensive work from Michael Shenton’s side, repelling numerous waves of Bradford attacks.
The Black & Whites then gave the Bulls a harsh lesson in the final five minutes of the match, enjoying some late goodball sets.
But what was most pleasing was that there was no sign of fatigue after fifteen minutes of desperate defending, as wingman Martin finished off a crisp move to the left edge.
Armstrong and Harman linked up gloriously to rubber stamp the victory in the final minute, with the former supplying the latter with a delicious double-pump pass down the middle of the park.
The win was Hull’s seventh in seven games at the start of the 2022 season. They will travel to face Wakefield Trinity Under 18s in their next assignment in a fortnight.
FULL-TIME: Hull 44-10 Bulls
Squads & Scorers
Hull: Opie-Palmer, Wainwright-Matson, Masike, Wacokecoke, Martin, Moy, Harman, Laidlaw, Balmforth, Staveley, Severs, Jebson, Armstrong
Hull Interchanges: Dulson, Mafi, Richards, Wright
Hull Tries: Armstrong, Staveley (2), Wacokecoke, Opie-Palmer, Severs, Martin, Harman
Hull Goals: Balmforth (6/8)
Bulls: Flanagan, Heyward, Banham, Horner, West, Lawford, McCabe, Toulson, Barrett, Briggs, Holmes, Kellett, Gray
Bulls Interchanges: Goldthorpe-Smith, Hough, Perkins, Wilson
Bulls Tries: Horner (2)
Bulls Goals: Flanagan (1/2)
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