National League Three North: Cleckheaton 15 Hull 24

TWO tries from sizeable lock Stuart Nell helped Hull to dominate the scoreboard in the first 40 minutes, though Cleckheaton initially took the lead when Ronan Evans slotted a penalty goal.

The visitirs responded with power in the pack and a fleet-of-foot back line, and worked their way upfield before Nell crashed over from close range.

George Fossey converted  and then the full back went on to show his own agility with a junking run from halfway which left Cleckheaton's defence wanting and resulted in Hull's second try.

He injured himself in the act of scoring and Tomasi Tanumi took over the kicking duties with the same success.

Then Cleckheaton were trying to bash their way to the edge of their 22 when Nell intercepted a loose pass and dived in for his second, Tanumi adding the extras to give Hull a 21-3 lead at the break.

The second half was a different affair, however, and, apart from an early Hull penalty goal from Tanumi, the score remained unchanged until the last ten minutes.

Cleckheaton had upped the ante and were pressuring Hull more than anytime in the game, and this paid dividends when No 8 Richard Piper controlled a five-metre scrum and then gathered to score.

Evans added the extras and, from the kick-off and with the game deep in injury time, Cleckheaton recycled well, kept the ball from going dead and made their way upfield before Neil Chivers dropped his shoulder and slid past a Hull defender for Cleckheaton's second try.

The conversion would have rescued an unlikely but well-deserved bonus point but it was pulled to the left of the uprights, and the game ended with Hull winning 24-15.