An earlier controversial try had followed a big knock-on which was seen by almost everybody on the Ground apart from Mr Taylor. However, credit is due to Hull for a spirited fight back in the last quarter.

From the kick-off, Harrogate No8, Tim Heaton ran strongly to set up an attack. Hull went offside and Luke White’s penalty opened Harrogate’s account. An incisive White break set up further attacks and powerful Harrogate scrummaging forced Hull to concede a penalty. An attacking line-out then led to a 30metres driving maul from which Jonny Coser scored the game’s opening try.

Harrogate were then penalised at a Hull driving maul and Steve Johnson’s kick made it 8-3. The Harrogate pack dominated the set pieces for the next 20 minutes with front row forwards Charley Purkiss-McEndoo, Steve Maycock and Connor Ward in control of the scrums. Jonny Coser and Sam Brady won consistent line-out ball with Tom Harvey, Guy Coser and Heaton providing plenty of oomph. Centres, Noel Minikin and Luke Edwards made telling breaks but, all too often, failed to make the final pass to their support.

On the half hour, Hull winger, Stephen Hihetah ran strongly to take advantage of a Harrogate defensive lapse and his converted try put Hull 8-10 ahead. Harrogate responded with a succession of driving mauls from which Hull were repeatedly penalised until a penalty try was awarded. More Harrogate pressure forced Hull into conceding another penalty and White’s kick made it 18-10. Just before the break, Lee Birch, Hull’s pacey full back burst through an attempted tackle to score in the corner.

Hull’s second half restart kick went straight into touch and another dominant Harrogate scrum. Waves of home attacks followed but a handling error on the Hull goal line denied them the try. A Birch counter attack was ended by a superb Danny Matthews interception in his 100th game for Harrogate. An injury to Hull prop Ben Boothman led to him being substituted and this changed the pattern of the game. He’d been having a torrid time up front but his replacement, Michael Jobling proved to be a more capable scrummager.

A great Minikin tackle ended a Hull attack but they regained possession and, despite a huge knock-on, Tomasi Tanumi was allowed to keep running and a highly questionable converted try made the score 18-22. The Harrogate pack again took control in the loose and another 30 metres driving maul ended with Brady’s try restoring the home lead. However, Birch, Hull’s outstanding full back, had the final say with the game’s final try at the end of a backs move.

Harrogate: Doherty, Lawson, Edwards, Minikin, Rosillo, White, Matthews, Purkiss-McEndoo, Maycock, Ward, Harvey, Brady, J Coser, G Coser, Heaton. Subs:- Butler, Peace, Hebblethwaite

Hull: Birch, Adlard, Heard, Tanumi, Hihetah, Johnson, Harding, Dias, Rice, Boothman, Bray, Hamber, Kay, Curry, Stafford. Subs:- Jobling, Dynan, Lancaster

Referee: Owen Taylor (Northern Division)

Match report by Bill Barrack