On a warm and cloudy afternoon in West Hull, the Buffaloes were looking to reclaim some of the form shown during the Kippax game and the first half of the Milford. Several of the squad withdrew hours before the game, leaving Coach Steven Gill with a selection dilemma. Never the less his charges did him and the traveling band of supporters proud.
The first ten minutes was all West Hull, with them being gifted possession following cheap penalties and handling errors. However following a differential penalty at the scrum on 13 minutes, captain Dave Parker Barged his way over for the opening score of the day, the try was converted by Aaron Henry, giving the Buffaloes the lead 0-6.
In the 16th Minute the Buffaloes were over again when Henry followed a deft kick from Omar Al Rawi, and scored next to the posts and then converted his own try making the score 0-12
Five minutes later West Hull broke the Buffaloes Line, following a repeat set, fullback Jack Tuttle, went over and score, the conversion coming from Stand off Lewis Straw. Making the score 6-12.
In the 26th minute, West Hull were in again, on the third repeat set with the ball in hand, they shipped the ball out to winger Tyler Grant for him to score an unconverted try, narrowing the gap to 2 points, 10-12.
Following more possession on the back of cheap penalties, West Hull went over for another unconverted try on the half hour mark, this time to Centre Luke Smith, giving West Hull the lead for the first time 14-12.
Four minutes from the break, West Hull were in again, with a try to Stand off Straw, following a flowing move from the attacking team, Shaw converted his own try, making the score 20-12.
In the last play of the half, the Buffaloes hit back, with an 80 metre try to second rower, Alex Brier, converted by Henry, making the half time score 20-18.
During the half time break, coach Gill, urged his players to cut out the mistakes and the silly penalties and that if they did that they would win the game.
Four minutes after the break centre, Nathan Hammond, was over for an unconverted try, following a break from Brier’s, giving the Buffaloes the lead, 20-22.
Short after the Hammond try, coach Gill brought himself in to the play and whilst his contribution with ball in hand was minimal, his enthusiasm lifted the team and after that point the result never looked in doubt.
In the 49th minute, winger Liam Copland was over for a try as he backed up a break from scrum half, Andrew Bottomley, the try was converted by Henry making the score, 20-28.
Three minutes later, Brier thought he was over the line for another try, however the referee saw Brier held up over the line, and following a quick discussion, Brier was penalised for dissent.
In the 61st Minute, substitute Garry Butterfield was over in the corner for an acrobatic try, extremely close to the touchline, extending the lead to 20-32
Four minutes later, Hammond was over again for his second fo the afternoon, breaking the defence on his own 20 metre line and sprinting 80 metres for the try, converted by Henry, making the score 20-38.
Brier was in again for a try in the 69th minute, following a fast crisp passing move. Making the score, 20-42.
With four mintues to go, Copland was over for his second of the game, following a break from Brier who neatly drew the fullback. Making the score 20-46.
The conversion was missed and after the kick was taken, Henry was sinbinned.
In the last minute of the game, Man of the Match, Sam Nicholls brust through the tiring defence for an unconverted try, making the final score, 20-50.
Game Breaker – Steven Gill’s brief appearance on the pitch, making one barging run, one big hit and giving one penalty away for dissent, but his appearance lifted the spirits of the team and turned the momentum of the game.
West Hull: 1) Jack Tuttle, 2) Dylon Price, 3) Luke Smith, 4) Dan Cure, 5) Tyler Grant, 6) Lewis Straw, 7) Liam East, 8) Callum Lane, 9) McCauley Longly, 10) Sam Baker, 11) Ash Rout, 12) Calvin Parker, 13) Lewis Brown, Subs; 14) Liam Price, 15) Blaine Goulton, 16) Ash Shaw, 17) Andy Finch.
Tries: Tuttle (21), Grant (26), Smith (30), Straw (36)
Goals: Straw 2 from 4
Buffaloes. 1) Terry Brown, 2) Ayden Webster, 3) Nathan Hammond, 4) Aaron Henry, 5) Liam Copland, 6) Omar Al Rawi, 7) Andy Bottomley, 8) Anthony Mills, 9) Jonny Bradley. 10) Sam Nicholls, 11) Aaron Blake, 12) Alex Brier, 13) Dave Parker. Subs) Garry Butterfield, 15) Luke Jackson, 16) Gareth Hudson, 17) Steven Gill.
Tries: Parker (13), Henry (16), Brier (40, 69), Hammond (44,65), Copland (49,78), Butterfield (61), Nicholls (80)
Goals: Henry 5 from 9, Al Rawi 0 from 1.