West Hull kept their unbeaten run intact at Close Street, producing a powerful second half surge to beat Thatto Heath Crusaders 28–8 in blustery, awkward conditions that challenged both sides throughout the afternoon.
The visitors also had to contend with a disrupted build up. Their late arrival forced the game to kick off around 45 minutes behind schedule, but was something they handled impressively once they settled into their rythmn.
Thatto Heath actually handled the early wind better and made the brighter start. After ten minutes, Liam Kenyon forced his way over from close range for the opening try, and Alex Speakman added the conversion to give the home side a deserved 6–0 lead.
West Hull hit back quickly. Sustained pressure inside the Thatto twenty created space for Ben Arbon to cross, and Jack Sanderson levelled the scores at 6–6 with a steady kick into the swirling breeze.
The rest of the first half became a gritty arm wrestle, shaped heavily by the conditions. Both defences stood firm, both sides struggled at times with the wind, and neither team was afraid to throw the ball around despite the challenges. Thatto nudged ahead six minutes before the break when Speakman landed a penalty, but West Hull struck the final blow of the half. Samuela Rokonowela powered over in the 39th minute to hand the visitors a narrow 10–8 advantage at the interval.
Three minutes into the second half, West Hull began to take control. Keiran Masike crossed for his first try of the afternoon, and although Sanderson couldn’t convert, the Green and Golds had opened up a six point cushion.
The wind continued to cause problems, but West Hull adapted better as the game wore on. On the hour, they were awarded a penalty in front of the posts, and Sanderson made no mistake to stretch the lead to 16–8. That moment proved pivotal. With a bit of breathing room, West Hull started to purr, playing quick, free flowing rugby despite the conditions and putting real pressure on the Crusaders.
Three minutes later, Ryan Langton finished off another sustained attack, Sanderson converted, and suddenly West Hull were 22–8 ahead.
Any hopes of a Thatto fightback were extinguished with twelve minutes remaining when Masike grabbed his second try as afternoon became early evening. Sanderson’s fourth successful goal stretched the advantage.
Thatto’s challenge became even tougher late on when Lewis Foster was sin binned for dissent. A brief coming together added some spice to the closing stages, but West Hull were calm, organised, and confident. They closed the game out comfortably to secure another important Premier Division win.
NCRL - National Leagues results:
Saturday 4 July
Premier Division
Heworth 12 York Acorn 14
Hunslet ARLFC 68 Lock Lane 0
Thatto Heath Crusaders 8 West Hull 28
Waterhead Warriors 70 Rochdale Mayfield 0
Wath Brow Hornets 22 Wigan St Judes 24
West Bowling 6 Siddal 28
Division One
Dewsbury Celtic 52 Stanningley 0
Kells 44 Egremont Rangers 16
Oldham St Annes 38 Wigan St Patricks 30
Oulton Raiders 10 East Leeds 26
Pilkington Recs 22 Leigh Miners Rangers 36
National Conference Cumbria
Ulverston 6 Hensingham 62
Barrow Island 24 Millom 22
Distington 43 Maryport 26
North West
Ashton Bears 14 Ince Rose Bridge 44
Blackbrook 24 Leigh East 14
Saddleworth Rangers 38 Crosfields 26
South
Bedford Tigers 34 London Chargers 22
Bristol All Golds 6 Hammersmith Hill Hoists 50
Eastern Rhinos 78 Brentwood Eels 4
Wests Warriors 82 North Herts Crusaders 10.
Yorkshire A
Keighley Albion 16 Thornhill Trojans 14
King Cross Park 18 Bradford Dudley Hill 42
Yorkshire B
Bentley 20 Kippax Welfare 4
Newsome Panthers 22 Featherstone Lions 12
