Hoping for a better result The Pythons travelled to Hull and conceded 69-33 due to a disastrous 10 minute period in the first half leaking 4 tries, 24 points. The first few minutes was all Python’s pressure but the home side repeatedly found and exploited gaps in defence taking the score to 24-0. The Pythons began to secure passion and began stringing phase together. A cynical shoulder charge resulted in Will Clough needing the leave the pitch and winger Nick Bell standing in at scrum half. Jed Carr kicks the penalty to the 5m line and with dominance in the set scrums Hull soon concede a penalty on their 5m line Bell takes a quick one, Steve Smith is held up short but Bell gets the ball away to Carr who dives in at the corner, 24-5.
Now on the defensive, Hull concede more penalties. The Pythons opt for scrums, Hugh Tatlow charges down an attempted clearance and Will Butler touches down next to the posts, 24-12 on 25 mins. Hull respond, 31-12. Bailey Bromberg gathers a Carr chip ahead and outpaces the home defence, Carr with the extra, 31-19 half time.
Debutant Ben Pryor finds gaps in the home defence and The Pythons have a period of pressure in the home 22. Hull take advantage of a penalty to clear their lines and set up a drive close to the posts, 38-19 and slot a penalty 41-19.
Winger Tom Stabler-Langan leaves the pitch with a fractured ankle and with the bench empty the Pythons need to play the last quarter with 14 men. Hull use the advantage to score wide, 48-19. Ed Challis crashes over the line, 48-26. A quick penalty gives George Booth and Tatlow opportunities to drive the ball closer to the line. Tatlow pops the ball up from the ground and ever alert Bell dances through the defence to score under the posts, 48-33. Hull use their width to score 3 more tries, 69-33 full time.
After the game Coach Roy MacKay said,” Giving the opposition a 24 pt start is always going to present problems and this proved to be no exception. However the lads rallied and scored some excellent tries to reduce the deficit by 12 points but by half time all 3 subs had been used due to injury. Within 10 minutes of the second half the team had to play with 14 men when we lost a fourth player to injury. The positive from Saturday was the fact we scored 5 tries and earned a try bonus point which is a credit for our attacking skills where there was some excellent linked interplay. Conversely our defence was probably the poorest of the season and we really need to look at our individual ability to tackle.
The players must concentrate their efforts on the two remaining games of the season with still a lot to play for.”
