A CLINICAL and efficient Hull team secured a bonus point after 30 minutes and went on to lead 5 -33 at half time against Wharfedale.

Head Coach, Gary Pearce, said after the game that: “We were good in the first half and used the conditions really well and played in the right areas of the pitch. We played some powerful rugby. We gave Wharfedale full respect and they stuck to their task really well and made things very difficult in the second half."

Hull opened the scoring after four minutes with Latu Makaafi powering over after a five-metre line out.

Dale struck back with a cross kick taken by Harry Bullough to score.

Harvey Harding darted over for Hull’s second try with Simon Humberstone adding the conversion. Alistair Thomson touched down next and a massive overlap led to Keane Naylor getting the bonus point try. Good following up and support play put William Hall over the whitewash. Humberstone added his fourth conversion to end the scoring before half-time.

It took 11 minutes of the second half before the visitors added to their score, a penalty from Humberstone.

Dale were growing into the game and had chances but it was a piece of individual skill that led to a try.

Rian Hamilton collected the ball on the right wing just in Hull’s half and then made his way across the pitch before rounding any Hull players to score on the left wing. Three tacklers were brushed off and he also slipped past a dangerous high tackle to reach the line.

Hull scored a late try when another cross kick found Michael Adlard in space and he crossed the line despite valiant efforts from the Dale defence, 12-43 to Hull.

Wharfedale Head Coach, Jon Feeley said after the game: “We knew the size of the challenge today and prepared well for it. Thursday night`s session was one of the best we’ve had. But Hull were very clinical in that 1st half and we struggled to get a foot hold in the game, especially when under such pressure at the set piece.

"With the possession we did have, we looked dangerous. Harry’s try was a really great example of patience, exploiting opportunity and great skill from the whole team. Rian showed fantastic individual ability for the try of the game and Ben Blackwell was outstanding throughout. We move into a period of games now which are crucial for the team moving forward. We’re looking at these next seven weeks in isolation to see what we can achieve”.

Dale seemed to match Hull for a lot of the game but Hull built a big score in the first half by sheer weight of numbers and using their big players to punch at the Dale defence. The penalty count went in Hull’s favour by 12 to 2, plus Wharfedale picking up two yellow cards. Dale had a very long afternoon of tackling which they did with great enthusiasm only to be run out of players as Hull recycled well. The Hull backs did manage to squander some opportunities when overlaps were ignored and the centres cut back inside.

Next week sees a full day at the Avenue. The 1st XV take on Harrogate; the rearranged game from December. It is also Ladies Day and there will be a St. Patrick’s Day celebration as well.

Wharfedale W. Davidson (Viner 23); Hamilton, Blackwell, Moore, Bullough; T. Davidson, Macnab; J. Altham (G. Altham 57), Graham, Dickinson (Green 58), Beesley, Hedgley (c), Carlson (Wells 76), Pinder (Stockton 52), Burridge