Weekend Review: 22nd August 2022
It was once again a busy weekend of local sporting action however, it was a fairly unsuccessful weekend in terms of results.
Hull FC‘s difficult run of form continued at home to Wakefield Trinity. The Black and White have been depleted by injuries in recent weeks but were seen off by the relegation-threatened Trinity. Hull struggled to create clear-cut chances whilst in-form opposition winger Lewis Murphy scored two of his tries in the first half. It was a better showing second half from the hosts but not nearly enough. FC still have a slim chance of making the playoffs but the doubleheader weekend will be, make or break.
As expected by many Hull KR were beaten by St Helens. The Robins lacked first-team players due to injuries. The hosts were 20-0 up at the break and many feared the worst but KR showed resistance matching Saints try for try second half. The Robins’ points were scored by Kane Linnett, Will Tate and outside-back Connor Barley on his debut. KR eventually fell to a 38-12 defeat. It has not been all doom and gloom though, James Batchelor has finally been confirmed to join Rovers next season.
The end of the season draws ever nearer for Beverley ARLFC. If it ends right now the Blue and Golds will stay in the league on points difference but it will be a tight run thing. This weekend Beverley were beaten in a close game to Barrow Island 20-10 – Nick Robinson reports.
North Ferriby aimed to convert their imperious form so far in the league this season to the FA Cup. Despite a good start to the game and a brilliant goal from Liam Dickens, Ferriby will have to move on to the FA Vase next week if they want a cup run. Heaton Stannington ran out dominant 4-1 winners in the end.
Hull City prior to Saturday have seemed defensively solid. The Tigers went into the game as favourites as Steve Bruce’s side found themselves in 23rd. City seemed comfortable for much of the first half and an unfortunate own goal was separating the two sides. Second half the host shell-shocked City with a couple of quick-fire goals. To concede five in total was worrying for many Tigers fans to see but some encouragement came in the form of striker Óscar Estupiñán who has started to settle into Championship life with four goals in two games.
Beverley Town CC once again lost as they struggled to chase down a batting target. Clifton Alliance chose to bat first reaching 217/8 in 50 overs, mainly thanks to an impressive 90 from Andrew Waites. Joey Franklin was among the wickets again with three, captain Jamie Roe took two, Thomas Haytack with one whilst some smart fielding saw two runouts. Ben Hatfield held Beverley’s innings together with 86 from 123 balls, but as the run rate grew Town lost cheap wickets whilst trying to quicken the pace. Eventually reaching 184/9, the visitors lost by 33 runs. It was a bad day all-round with the seconds, thirds and fourths all losing too.
Driffield Town CC had a top-of-the-table clash at home to York CC. Put into bat first York reached a big score of 262/4 which included three half-centuries. George Drury took two wickets, James Anson and Nick Hargraves both took one each. A valiant effort with the bat saw Driffield come a run short of the total. A partnership of 147 from opener, Alec Drury and number three Noah Kelly offered hope for the hosts as they scored 71 and 70 respectively. Quickfire runs from Mishra took Town close but York held out of a six-wicket win. There were two wins this weekend for Driffield, the seconds and the fourths both beat Beverley’s teams.
It was a long trip for the Scunthorpe Alphas in the semi-final of the playoffs. The Alphas made the 900+ miles round trip to take on the Highland Stags. An injury to quarterback Andy Bagnall hampered the progress of Scunny as the Stags led 6-0 at the half. The Alphas staged a fourth-quarter fightback but in the end lost 18-8. It has been a successful season for the Alphas who will be promoted to Divison One for next season.
Hull Scorpions hoped to make it to the playoffs themselves away at Durham Spartans. The Scorpions had to rely on results going their way from elsewhere. Two excellent performances were put in by the Hull side. In game one they ran out 21-6 victors and made it a clean sweep with a 23-8 win in the second. Despite this, results did not go the way the Scorpions wanted and just missed a top-four spot.
Hull City Ladies opened their season away at Leeds. A lot of change has happened for the Tigresses since relegation last season including new manager Chris Hames stepping in place of Adrian Costello. It was a spirited performance by HCL but Leeds won 1-0.
This week’s local team of the week vote includes; Hull Scorpions with a double win, Hull KR Ladies after a victory over Widnes this weekend, Great Driffield following a victory in their first-ever game and Hull City Ladies after a good performance in a 1-0 defeat to Leeds.
Simon Bromwich
