Hullensians Hawks 21 - Scunthorpe 14

Hullensians Hawks declared Merit Table Champions

Half the Hullensians Hawks team arrived just 15 minutes before kick-off sporting heavy hangovers as the Tour bus got stuck in traffic, which wasn’t the ideal preparation for a final. Scunthorpe began strongly, but after a nervous start, our pack settled down to take complete charge of the game. Scunthorpe struggled to contain them and were forced into conceding penalties to kill our ball. Tom Biglin gave us the lead with a penalty goal before Andy Vernon went in from the back of a rolling maul. We went close to extending our lead on several occasions, but Scunthorpe’s threequarters defended well to snuff out the moves. As half-time approached, Scunthorpe hit us on the counter-attack as Rick Lee intercepted a stray ball to go 70 yards under the posts, which his brother, Ian, converted to reduce our lead to 8-7 at half-time. A further Tom Biglin penalty gave us a 4-points lead, before Ewen Norris dived over for a try after a ruck. Following sustained pressure in the Scunthorpe half, we got a penalty which Andy Krebs took quickly to catch the Scunthorpe defence unawares as he darted through to the line to give us some breathing space. As the clock ran down and we tired, Scunthorpe laid siege to our line and despite heroic defence, eventually broke through for Pickwell to stretch over for a try, converted by Ian Lee to ensure a tense last 5 minutes, but in reality, the lads held on comfortably for a deserved win and to lift the Trophy.

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Hullensians Mini/junior Sponsored Run Over the Humber Bridge April 2008

A massive crowd gathered in the North Bank car park of the Humber Bridge to watch the inaugural Hullensians Mini/Junior sponsored run. Around 40 of the Mini/Junior section from as far a field as Holderness Road and Main Street Willerby competed. With the weather forecast predicting driving rain the event organisers weren’t expecting record times over the 3 ½ mile course.
The U8’s set off first at 11.00 am prompt, ably marshalled by Duane Jones & Martin Omond on ladies Shopper bikes. As the sun broke through the dense morning clouds the boys set off at a blistering pace, this was going to be a memorable race. Next off at 11.10 am where the U12’s with a look of steely determination on there faces. Harry Newton looked particularly scary, his Mum, Helen stated he always looked like that in a morning though. They where chaperoned by Ian Newton, Ian Foots, Tony Cope & Chris Sanders on a tandem & unicycles. At this point the Humber Bridge Board Weights engineers where very concerned that the bridge would be over loaded with such a mass of ‘Old Men on Bikes’. Last off where the keen as mustard U17’s , well yawning, scratching and stretching anyway. Phil Ingleson & Sophie Knapp monitored the U17’s to watch out for any cheating or gouging. Matty Barkworth set a frightening pace looking cool in his Mum’s designer sunglasses and Jack Ingleson had to be peeled off his long suffering girlfriend. Jordan Knapp set off well but had to stop to be sick due to heat exhaustion or too many sherbets the night before. Vince Knapp set off running with his dog Tully but soon had to turn round as the RSPCA had been alerted due to him trying to get the dog to pull him round or was it because he was too tired. The rest of the spectators enjoyed a lovely stroll over the bridge enjoying the April sunshine.
First to cross the finish line was Billy Knapp who won the U12’s age group, Dave Skelton following a few minutes later for the U17’s then Adam Rothery for the U8’s. These boys ran particularly well in hot conditions. The rest of the boys came in at various intervals with some of the early finisher going back to help along some of the lads who struggled in the heat, what team spirit they showed.
We then all went back to the clubhouse for a well earned drink and a great BBQ. The children then played rounders, football and the day was ended by an impromptu Lads v Dads rugby match, in which the Dads just over came the Lads.
Thanks to all who either ran, walked, cycled, crawled or just supported this event a big well done to all.

All moneys raised will go towards the Mini/Junior section to buy training apparel and match day shirts. Any additional sponsorship would be greatly appreciated.

PRESENTATION DAY Saturday 14th June 2008 @ 12.00 pm

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Hullensians 32 Whitby RUFC 10

Hullensians progressed comfortably into the semi-finals of the Yorkshire Silver Trophy at Whitby as their dominant pack always held the upper hand to provide the platform for the victory. Hullensians withstood Whitby's early storm and opened the scoring when a Dave Andrews run set up the field position for his brother, Phil, to crash through for a try after some good handling and forwards' drives. Tom McCarthy came into the line to take a long Carl Paterson pass and release Jason Young ti cross over and touch down at trhe corner. Whitby were caught flat footed when they thought Hullensians had knocked on from a high ball and the ball went to Paterson who used his incredible bulk to skittle defenders as he scored a try which he converted himself. Pete Stentiford kicked a penalty goal for Whitby to reduce Hullensians' half-time lead to 17-3.Whitby came back strongly again after the restart and narrowed the gap further when Stentiford took a quick tap penalty and crossed for a try as Hullensians were slow to retire and face up. Paterson settled Hullensians' nerves with a coolly struck penalty into a strong crosswind, before Riggsy Russell broke Whitbys resistance with a deft pass to send Callum Barry racing in for a try at the corner. Hullensians took a clean catch and drive at the line and Whitby were powerless to stop Andy Walker going over on the blindside. Paterson landed a magnificent touchline conversion.Hullensians now meet their old rivals, Hessle, at Livingstone Road next week in a crunch match for a place in the final against Rotherham Phoenix, who beat Castleford 15-10 in their semi-final this weekend.

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Rockliff Super 10’s Tournament (26.4.08)

Hullensians Tourers went into the Tournament with a game plan to lose their first game in the main Tournament to go into the Plate competition, then to lose their first match in that as well so they could get back down to some serious drinking. Unfortunately, they were the victims of both a bio-chemical warfare attack in their changing rooms and a touchline pile-up as they totally lost the plot and went on to win three games in a row to get through to the semi-finals. Firstly, they disposed of Waid by 21-14, holding on for victory after a lightning start. They then came from behind to win 24-22 in a ripping match as they exposed the inexperience of a great bunch of lads from Loughborough University. In the quarter-finals, they faced Seghill, who they beat quite comfortably by 29-5. As reality began to sink in though, and as the Club Coach finally turned up, it was a Tyne Tunnel Too Far as they went down 32-12 to a pacy Whitchurch side in the semis. Still, the lads and our supporters did us all proud as they proved to be the most-watched side in the Tournament, not like the boring b******s from Percy Park who went on to win the competition for the eighth time in 6 years against the whole spirit of Touring Rugby and have accordingly had their invitation for 2009 withdrawn. 118 118 was runner-up in the man-of-the-Tournament, but was closely followed by the two-faced Princess, Birthday Boy, I,Robot, Toenail, Baillie, Inspector Padgett, Ewen, Phil Russell, Adam 'The Quiche Machine' McWhannel, Krebsy, Miller, Malcolm, Riggsy and Stutters.