Despite some very good play by the forwards and some positive running by the backs, the pace and ability of Hull to counterattack was the difference between the sides in what was a disappointing 43-16 defeat for Stockport.
It started well, with hooker Tom Cruse collecting the kickoff and the forwards going through several phases to give Andy Fuller a try after two minutes. The Hull kick off was well taken by Stockport, a break by stand in scrum half Mike Bayssat and good follow up running by Cruse created pressure on Hull and they conceded a penalty, which Josh Longmore converted. Hull then started to demonstrate their pace and Stockport had some defending to do, a penalty was conceded and Hull were on the score board. Longmore converted another penalty to keep Stockport ahead. Both sides then had good attacks, with Hull being denied a score by the referee. Stockport repeatedly got into good positions but turned the ball over. The Hull right wing had an easy run in on the blind side to make it 11-8. Just before half time Stockport created a great chance for wing Tom Oben, but the Hull full back collected the ball behind his own line, jinked through the Stockport players and kicked ahead from half way, beating the defence to touch down to make it 11-15 at the break.
Hull soon scored after the restart with a failure to clear to touch and poor tackling allowing them get to 11-22. A turn over in the Hull 22 allowed their fullback to get the second of his three tries as he ran in under the posts. At 11-29 the game looked beyond Stockport but good running by Jordan Pearson got him an unconverted try to make it 16-29. The Hull full back added his third try after good movement and it was 16-36. The final blow came as Stockport looked certain to score after a good build up but Longmore’s pass was intercepted and for the second time a Hull player ran the length of the pitch to score an easy try.