Both sides struggled for continuity in the first half hour as play was littered with penalty offences and handling errors, Stour putting themselves under pressure by missing several touch kicks. But a brace of tries just before half time by winger Stef Cooksammy eased Stour into a lead that though threatened was never relinquished.

Hull were first onto the scoreboard when Stour’s back row broke early at a scrum, outside half James Cameron landing the penalty kick. Hull defenders strayed offside as Stour pressed their first attack into the hosts 22, offering fullback Jamie Hearn an easy 3 pointer to level the scores. Centre Ben Barkley then limped off with an ankle sprain to be replaced by the welcome sight of Gary Dipple making his first league appearance of the season. Another scrum transgression gave Cameron a second shot at goal but it rebounded off an upright and Stour were able to clear their lines. Hull’s dangerous hooker John Matthews set up an attack that put a runner clear into Stour’s 22 but an outstanding cover tackle by no.8 Drew Harper bundled him into touch. An infringement at the subsequent lineout though gifted Cameron another penalty kick which he converted to give Hull the lead on the half hour.

Hull’s lineout was coming under pressure, a steal by 2nd row Ciaran Moore setting up a Stour attack in the hosts’ 22. A chip through by outside half Jon Higgins sat up nicely for Cooksammy who was able to ground it in the corner to take the lead. Moore then turned over a Hull ball carrier, setting up a counter attack that reached Hull’s 22. A penalty award was kicked to the corner and after a set of drives the ball was worked back to Cooksammy who barged over for his 2nd try to make the halftime score 6-13.

Frustrated by seeing Moore pick off another of his lineout throws Matthews went off his feet at the next breakdown to earn himself a rest in the sinbin. Stour kicked for the corner again and pressed the attack but hooker Jack Lea’s drive was held up over the line. Hull’s 7-man pack couldn’t take the pressure at the subsequent scrummage though giving referee Will Halford little option but to award a penalty try.

Hull started to generate some continuity in attack and were able to set up an attacking lineout in the Stour 22 just as Matthews returned, prop Mike Jobling at the base of the resulting catch & drive that was trundled over the line to score the hosts’ first try. Stour returned to the attack but were unable to turn pressure into points as the Hull defences held firm. A spilled pass set up a Hull counter that was worked to Matthews who burned off the cover to run in from halfway, the conversion bringing Hull back within 2 points with 7 minutes to play. With the replacement benches emptied both sides tried to raise the tempo, Stour coming close but failing to breach the hosts’ defences. Chasing the result Hull attempted to run from deep in their 22, playing into Stour’s hands when a runner got isolated and was turned over by flanker Eji Uzoigwe. The ball was worked wide to winger Nathan Bressington who, having hardly touched the ball all game, gratefully took the pass to round the cover and score the bonus point try. Hearn converted from the touchline to make the final score 18-27.