Northumbria University 28

Hull University 8

Adam Houston at Bullocksteads Sports Ground

Photography by Alex Reid

Northumbria University kicked off this year’s Super 8 campaign with a win over Hull after being on the receiving end of 2 defeats last season against the same opposition. Northumbria started off positively but it was the visitors who scored first, Will Bate taking the ball to the line before his flat pass was picked off by Full Back Mike Ellis who scampered 80m to touch down, Jacob Peacock’s conversion putting them 6 points ahead with only 3 minutes played.

Northumbria’s response was a physical one, some bruising defence led in particular by lively Hooker Chris Sant & tireless prop James Hall thwarted the visitors attack time after time. The host’s defence proving more than up to the task, however falling foul of the referee’s whistle on numerous occasions with persistent indiscipline but still their line remained un-breached despite back to back sets. On the 10 minute mark, Matty Garside raced clear for his first of 4 touchdowns on the day, Scott Woods perfectly timed pass finding the Centre’s line to go over almost untouched. Marcus Broad’s extras bringing the sides level.

The Visitors furthered their lead on the back of more indiscipline from the hosts, when man of the match Jordan Rice crossed to put them ahead, again Peacock on target with the extras to double their advantage. Northumbria’s defence was again ferocious in response, starving Hull of yards & dominating every tackle before Garside nabbed his brace. Woods, who marshalled his troops superbly all day again finding the centre who stood up his opposite man before bursting one tackle & going clear, allowing Broad the simple extras to tag on to draw the sides level just before half time.

With a couple of injuries in the first half, a fired up Northumbria side took to the field and picked up where they left off at half time, this time a far more favourable penalty count bringing things level. Busy Prop James Hall proving to be a thorn in Hull’s side both in defence and attack along with a hardworking pack, allowed Bate & Woods time & space to control the game when Chris Sant got his just rewards for a massive defensive display, crossing for his first try in Northumbria colours.

Northumbria were showing their dominance especially in defence against a visibly tired Hull outfit before Garside popped up with his hat trick score, finishing well and then wrapping things up with his 4^th try after a well judged kick by Woods who impressed with the boot throughout.

Northumbria

1 Chris Dawson

2 Ross Wilkinson

3 Matthew Garside

4 Marcus Broad

5 Connor Sheridan

6 Scott Woods

7 Will Bate

8 Karl Brandt

9 Chris Sant

10 James Hall

11 Dave Townend

12 Josh Taylor

13 David Cash

Subs (all used)

14 Andrew Forbes

15 Gareth Schofield

16 David Norman

17 Pierre Pinar

Tries: Garside (10), Garside (36), Sant (48), Garside (65), Garside (73)

Goals: Broad 4/5

Hull

1 Mike Ellis

2 Kyle Ballard

3 Gav Morris

4 Joe Briscoe

5 Nathan Miller

6 Josh Rimmer

7 Kev Brunneye

8 Liam Duffy

9 Jordan Rice

10 Danny Weaver

11 Henry Mitchell

12 Keith Rowley

13 Jacob Peacock

Subs (all used)

14 Lewis Hutchinson

15 Steve Baker

16 Aaron Wilcocks

17 Jack Sutherland

Tries: Ellis (3), Rice (23)

Goals: Peacock 2/2

Man of the Match:

Northumbria: Matty Garside, Hull: Jordan Rice

Half-time: 12-12

Referee: Andy Howe

View the match photo gallery here!