The teams had met twice in the league and shared the points, therefore, there was little between the teams who exchanged early sets both getting to the kick as they tested each other out. Good work saw Dockers pressing the visitors line and a neat chip from Jamie Hoggarth saw Jack Turner score an unconverted try in the corner.

Once again Dockers got to the kick and Stanningley were approaching half way where they started to move the ball wide though the ever alert Charlie Webster picked off the pass to go 50 meters to score in the corner, just out the reach of Charlie Richmonds conversion as Dockers took an eight point lead.

Dockers were again in good field position though an error gave Stanningley the ball deep in the home half which was followed by a penalty which put the visitors in a strong position to score under the sticks giving an easy conversion attempt. The half drew to a close a little scrappy as both teams exchanged errors and penalties. Once again it was an error and a penalty that put Stanningley on the attack and Dockers fell to a soft try from acting half which was again converted to give the visitors a 12-8 lead.

The second half saw Dockers struggling to keep a grip on the game as a few decisions went against them including a sin binning and over the third quarter Stanningley added two further tries to take a commanding 12 point lead as both conversions bounced off the uprights.

A short kick off and determined defence saw Dockers force the visitors into touch on tackle one. With the visitors then caught offside Dockers had good field position and worked through their set well which finished with a well-placed Richmond cross field kick to the corner which was picked out of the air by Rhys Bryant to score. Again the kick was just off target. As the home side became more patient Stanningley allowed them back into the game with a combination of penalties.

With Dockers playing a more open game the ball moved through hands and Richmond again was the provider though this time providing the final pass for Billy South to walk in, in the corner for a further unconverted try with four minutes left on the clock and Dockers four points behind.

With Dockers making good ground the visitors were found guilty of holding down mid tackle count allowing Dockers another set in the home quarter. Dockers forwards pounded the Stanningley line and quick thinking from Richmond changed the direction of attack with four players linking to put Josh Brannigan in, in the corner leaving the scores level and Richmond with another tough goal attempt. However, despite missing the earlier attempts the Dockers half back coolly slotted over the extras to give the home side a two point lead.

Hearts were in mouths as the Dockers made a mess of the re-start allowing Stanningley a last set in the home quarter though a resilient defence held out another strong attack.

Final score Hull Dockers 22, Stanningley 20

A Dockers coach said “The game was a very physical encounter and the result could have gone either way though Dockers re-found their composure towards then end when they really needed it and dug deep to get the win. Our outside backs were the ones on the score sheet today though the pack set the platform, putting us where we needed to be on the field giving our halves the position and opportunity to set up the plays we have worked on in training”

The result see’s Dockers continue into the Semi-finals and a tough away match at first division Hunslet Warriors on 7th January 2018