Dockers were to have first use of the ball in a game refereed by the same official as the last match. However, Dockers misjudged a well placed kick which was knocked into touch forcing an early attacking scrum for the home side. Skirlaugh put the ball through hands taking play to their left and back to the right where former Docker Alfie Shultz hit the ball at pace to score wide out which was improved to give the home side an early 6-0 lead.

For the second week running starting props Jordan Ellerington and Teerth Dhesi were up against much bigger opponents though once again they were up to the task in hand taking their team forward. In Dockers first set they started lively with the ball moving between Charlie’s Webster, Key and Richmond as they tried to pick holes in the opposition defence. The first set came to an end with a good Webster kick that was well taken by the Bulls fullback who was tackled by his opposite number, Josh Brannigan. Charlie Key put in a good tackle though the team where somewhat harshly pulled up for being offside, without warning.

Skirlaugh’s tap penalty saw them make good yards that took a last ditch Charlie Nolan and Josh Brannigan tackle to prevent a second try. As the play moved to the opposite touch line Dan Adamson, Charlie Richmond and Jack Turner combined to snuff out Shultz though his height allowed him to drop the ball out of the tackle to the supporting player. The Skirlaugh hooker was then fortunate not to hand over possession as he fumbled at acting half though it had no impact on the game as his pass was knocked on in good field position. Again Jordan and Teerth, who had trained with Skirlaugh before joining Dockers, settled the team down with good drives away from their line before Rhys Bryant continued the attack. Charlie Webster linked with Charlie Key who found Josh Brannigan who broke through the first line of defence to set up Charlie Webster’s kick on the 5th tackle that split the fullback and a team mate though was again well and returned into the Dockers defence.

Again the home hookers action at the play of the ball failed to raise concerns from the referee as Oliver Dearing and Jack Turner were well assisted by Dan Adamson on consecutive tackles as the Bulls continued to hunt their second try. However, the home side had overplayed the move and good defence from Charlie Richmond and Jack Turner saw the home player lose the ball, which Richy was quick to capitalise on. James McCulloch had come on as substitute to add some bulk to the Dockers pack and whilst he was still not fully fit his first run helped his side gain momentum. Charlie Webster was beginning to expand the visitors attack as he first found Rhys Bryant and then Josh Brannigan who both made good yards on the back of quick plays of the ball, before Webbo kicked over the top once again at the end of another well worked set.

A good team tackle from Dockers saw the Bulls player lose possession at the play of the ball early in the tackle count though a Dockers mistake on tackle two saw the home side regain possession, though this was short lived as a wayward pass missed its intended target and bounced into touch for a Dockers scrum. Charlie Webster went straight into attack bringing Johnny Nolan for a strong run. As the bigger Bulls forwards were starting to struggle with the speed of Dockers play the ball Oliver Dearing jumped out from dummy half resulting in some lazy defence and a high shot that brought the visitors a penalty. Jordan and Teerth where starting to gain more yards with their next runs as Oliver Dearing again made the break from acting half before James McCulloch was taken high though without penalty. Charlie Richmond, playing against his former club, then supported Charlie Webster and hit the ball at pace which took some good defence to stop before Webbo again finished off the set with a neat kick which he backed up with Charlie Richmond to make the tackle deep in Skirlaugh territory mid way through the first half.

The Bulls big front row then made good yards taking their team mates down field and needed some well drilled defence to stop them, before the ball was moved out wide where they found a gap to break the Dockers line and extend their score, which was converted to take the score to 12-0 in favour of the home team. Once again it was Dockers props of Teerth, Jordan and James who made the early drives before Charlie Webster opened up play to Charlie Richmond who in turn attempted to bring in his wing partner Dan Adamson though he was unable to take the pass cleanly under the pressure of several Bulls defenders. The home side’s first drive went to one of their big props though Webbo demonstrated his tackling abilities with a round the ankles copy book effort which felled Bulls player which Charlie backed up with another one on one tackle. The home side were starting to get a roll on as they offloaded in the tackle though they were getting over confident as a stray pass was pounced on by Charlie Richmond.

With the Dockers forwards setting up field position Charlie Webster again started to probe the defence with some good runs and well timed passes to the supporting Josh Brannigan and Charlie Richmond. Webbo then put in his finest kick of the half which bounced towards the line with Johnny Nolan in full flight chasing the ball. The Skirlaugh fullback showed great bravery in falling on the ball which appeared to go forward though was not deemed to have done so by the official though Johnny was straight in with the tackle to pin the home side on their line. Good Dockers defence held the home side deep in their half and again the Bulls desire to keep the ball moving was to be their downfall as another offload was fumbled before they were then found guilty of reefing the ball. Jordan Ellerington then made huge yards as he turned in the tackle and completed his run in defence, dragging in a lot of defenders before Oliver Dearing went on another testing run. Charlie Webster opened out the attack to Jack Turner though a big hit forced the ball loose. The home side had the last use of the ball though the referee soon blew for half time with the home side leading 12-0 though Dockers having a good first half.

Half time Skirlaugh 12 - Hull Dockers 0

Jack Turner re-started the game with a well taken kick that proved difficult to catch though after a bit of juggling was controlled. However, Skirlaugh were playing panic rugby and an offload in the first tackle resulted in Jordan Ellerington intercepting. James McCulloch, Charlie Key and Rhys Bryant laid the platform for their team mates taking play close to the home line. Charlie Webster then demonstrated the partnership with Josh Brannigan as he found the full back wide on the left and Josh twisted and turned to score a well worked try that was based on good rugby rather than brute force. Kicking machine Jack Turner then added the extras as Dockers reduced the deficit to six points as the home coaches became concerned by the threat that their opponents posed.

Whilst the Skirlaugh coaches were beginning to panic their players were reacting positively to their counterparts performance and it took a last ditch tackle by Josh Brannigan to prevent a try. However, poor play at acting half saw the home side knock on close to the Dockers line alleviating the pressure. James McCulloch, Jordan Ellerington and Charlie Key again set the platform for the next attack before Oliver Dearing split the defence with a dart from dummy half that attracted some high lazy defence though this time went unpunished. Having attempted to open up the defence with his passing Charlie Webster changed his play by taking on the defence with some good footwork which saw the first line of defence flounder and took a good cover tackle to stop though Dockers were in good field position. Not realising it was the last tackle Oliver Dearing again went from dummy half and was tackled with the ball though his run ensured possession was turned over deep in the Skirlaugh half.

Kaine Warneck had joined the play as a substitute and was involved straight away in the defensive line as Skirlaugh again made good progression into the visitors half. The last tackle saw the Bulls move the ball wide though the final pass was knocked on as the game flowed from end to end. Josh Brannigan and Oliver Dearing took the early runs and the latter attempted to bring Johnny Nolan into the action though the winger could only recover possession of the ball before Rhys Bryant took a good drive against bigger opposition. As Charlie’s Webster and Key combined Dockers lost possession as the home side intercepted a pass. Dockers should have regained possession as the Skirlaugh player lost the ball on contact though the referee handed the ball back to the home side as Josh Brannigan attempted to turn defence into attack.

Some strong runs saw the home side back on the score board shortly after as they converted good yards into another try which they converted to extend the lead back to twelve points. Dockers then gifted the Bulls possession as they made an error on the first tackle. The home forwards were making good headway once again and Oliver Dearing felt the full force of an Alfie Shultz hand off though the big Bulls prop lost possession which was picked up by Johnny Nolan. Despite his injury James McCulloch was starting to make more yards and take more stopping as the visitors completed another set with a Charlie Webster kick. The home side were making good ground and then were given a repeat set as Dockers were adjudged to be off side which they capitalised on to score a further try and extend their lead further to 22-6 as the conversion was missed.

Dockers were soon to receive a penalty of their own as Skirlaughs tackles started to slip a little high with James McCulloch being on the receiving end. The visitors again showed some flare with ball in hand as a passing move between Charlie’s Webster and Key found Jack Turner on the end of the move. Another Oliver Dearing scoot brought in Josh Brannigan before Charlie Webster put in a kick to the corner which bounced over the try line from a Bulls player. Rhys Bryant showed his pace to touch down the ball for a try that he has earned over recent weeks with some good performances. Mr Dependable Jack Turner then slotted over the extras as the Skirlaugh coach amused the away fans with his one man comedy show.

Skirlaugh were back on the score line in the next set as Alfie Shultz again bulldozed his way over on another good run to take the score to 28-12 in the Bulls favour, with the conversion. Having been involved in earlier defensive work second half substitute Thomas Holtby made a strong run though the impact of the collision forced the ball out. However, further sloppy dummy half play saw the ball turned back to Dockers on the first tackle. Another inch perfect kick from Charlie Webster sat up nicely over the try line and forced the Skirlaugh player to drive it out only to be tackled on his own line. Dockers were defending well and the next tackle saw the referee blow for full time.

Last week had seen a character building performance in the mud from the boys which they backed up with another good game. The match reports will show a win for the Bulls though like all games will add nothing to their points total for the season. The Skirlaugh game was once again based on power and brute force though in terms of skill Dockers were on top with Charlie Webster having the creativity with ball in hand and a first class kicking game. Following on from the Skirlaugh coaches comments the previous season it was evident from this game that both teams played some entertaining tugby though Dockers were the ones making the greater progress.

Having been critical of his performance last season the referee also had an improved game and helped make it an enjoyable match.

Once again a few of the teams less experienced players were rested for this game though Jack, Jaden, Harry and Liam will feature more over the coming weeks and they should be praised for their commitment over the last few weeks.

Man of the match could have gone to a number of players not least the forwards who stood up to some much bigger opponents, with Teerth Dhesi gaining particular praise from the referee for his performance. At scrum half Charlie Webster is developing some great skills in his role where he is developing good partnerships with Josh Brannigan, Charlie Key and Charlie Richmond which will give the team options in the future. However, the award went to another former Skirlaugh player, Oliver Dearing who upped his game with numerous runs from acting half.

Big thanks from the team to the supporters who were out in force once again!

Next week is another tough game with the visit of Ideal Isberg who narrowly beat the boys in a pre-season friendly.