Stourbridge 48 Hull 15 (From Stourbridge News)

Stourbridge 48 Hull 15

4:23pm Tuesday 5th March 2013 in Stourbridge RFC

STOURBRIDGE got back to winning ways by running in eight tries against Hull.

The Saxons adapted their game well to a dry Stourton Park surface, producing an expansive game that a mid-table Hull side struggled to contain.

Slick distribution by half-backs Pete White and Sione Tu'ipolotu provided the Saxons' outside backs with a wealth of front foot ball that produced a try-fest.

With Robbie Hurrell and Caolan Ryan rested, the Stour lineup featured a welcome return for number eight Matt Thomas who had undergone reconstructive surgery on a serious knee injury.

The opening try arrived as early as the fourth minute after a backs move enabled fullback Tom Jarvis to burn outside, leaving the defenders no chance.

Hull hit back with a penalty when the Saxons' defensive line was caught offside but normal service was quickly resumed when flanker James Rodley scored at the back of a driving maul which Hull couldn't hold out.

The visitors showed plenty of endeavour, attempting to counter from deep but were hit with a sucker punch when man-of-the-match Tu'ipolotu intercepted to run in unchallenged for a try on the half-hour.

He bagged another - and a precious bonus point - five minutes before half time by neatly stepping inside Hull's drift defence after the pack had destroyed their opponents' scrum.

On the stroke of half-time centre Gary Dipple added a fifth, executing a neat loop move before darting through a gap.

Nathan Bressington was next on the scoresheet after a Hull lineout was picked off deep inside their own 22. Floundering Hull then coughed up possession in the Saxons 22 enabling a clearance kick/chase that bore fruit when the ball came to Tu'ipolotu and his neat chip through was gathered by winger Jamie Hearn who grounded for try number seven.

Up by 40 points, Stour were perhaps guilty of taking their foot off the gas and Hull edged back into the game with two quick tries.

But the last word was had by Hearn, who took the ball near halfway and left a trail of defenders clutching at thin air as he scorched crossfield to score on the right.