Weekend Results- 31st May 2021

Hull FC returned to action this weekend, travelling to second-placed St Helens on Friday night. Saints had lost their previous game to Catalans Dragons, whilst the Black and Whites were on the back of a determined victory over Leeds at Headingly. It was not to be for FC, Saints controlled much of the game after a start which saw them take a 10-point lead in the opening six minutes. Jack Welsby, the man of the moment for the hosts with a hat-trick. The eventual final score 34-16, in form Adam Swift scored the only Airlie Bird points of the first half and Mahe Fonua bagged a second-half brace.

Beverley ARLFC for the second week in a row hosted a side higher up the Rugby League pyramid than them. This season has an altered schedule, West Hull and now Myton Warriors have visited the Leisure Centre. The game was hard-fought for both sides with a lack of fluidity throughout. Beverley’s defence held firm for large swathes of the game, for the second week in a row against testing opposition. Tries courtesy of Lewis Straw, Luke Parker, and a double from Francis Coggle from the replacements bench saw the Blue and Golds win 2 from 2. Final score 22-10.

Beverley Town CC have found some form recently and looked to continue that on Saturday away at Thirsk based Sessay. It was a game limited to just 30 overs, down from the usual 50, the hosts chose to put Town in to bat first. Ben Hatfield was the highest scorer with 24 as the batsmen struggled to gain a foothold in the match, 111/7 was the score at the end of the innings. Sessay managed to win the game by a single wicket on the final ball of the game. This mainly down to a score of 44 from captain Mark Jackson. With the ball in hand, Joe Dale took 3-19 from 6 overs, while the rest of the bowlers all took at least one wicket. Beverley took 5 points from the game.

Driffield Town CC originally had three fixtured planned this weekend. The Sunday game was pushed back to next week. In hindsight, Driff probably would want all the games pushing back after losing both the Saturday and Monday games. Sheriff Hutton Bridge on Saturday won by 5 wickets despite the excellent efforts of Sam Drury making 90 runs. Three of the Bridge’s opening four made 40 plus as they chased down the total in 44.2 overs. Monday was a tougher prospect against Dunnington. The hosts posted a total of 225 in 50 overs. In response Driffield openers Sam Drury and Noah Kelly made a useful 66 partnership, from there it was a downhill struggle to 197 all out. Dunnington won by 28 runs.

Hull Kingston Rovers faced a winless team for the second game in a row when hosting Leigh Centurions. The Robins were boosted by the return of fans to Craven Park for the first time in over 14 months. The first half was a close affair, with only six points the difference. Rovers stepped up second half punishing any Leigh mistakes. Ryan Hall got yet another hat-trick, Kane Linnett bagged a brace while Dean Hadley and Rowan Milnes dotted down for a try apiece. KR has been involved in usually tight games but a 40-16 win over Leigh will give a huge boost of confidence.

And finally, North Ferriby have resigned forward Danny Clarke to the club. Clarke was part of the Villagers FA Trophy-winning squad from 2015. The 36-year-old will be part of Chris Bolder’s squad for the 2021/22 season, having played for Halifax and Alfreton since leaving in late 2016.

Report by: Simon Bromwich