Rugby Lions’ run of defeats was extended at a very wet Hull ground where they came unstuck against Hull’s big pack which was certainly the main influence on determining the result of this game.

Considering Hull’s domination of possession, Lions did very well to contain the home side who are on a good run of results now they have recovered from a lengthy injury list.

In fact the half time score of 8-5 was the result of Hull kicking a penalty and finishing off just one of the strong attacking positions they enjoyed and which with their heavyweight pack they should in theory have established a clear advantage.

In contrast, Lions did convert a rare attack when Jack Green’s crosskick on the breeze was chased and Joss Andrews knocked the ball away from the defender’s hands and followed up to touch down.

Lions were under pressure in the scrums and although they couldn’t really challenge the Hull lineouts, they did much better than might have been expected on Matt Price’s throw-ins with Alex Nash, Andy Weaver and Dave Campton all taking good catches.

But Lions were rarely able to send their backs away in threatening parts of the pitch although apart from Tongan international Vaikona, Hull also found little attacking threat from their backs.

After the break, the game continued in similar fashion with Lions holding out against Hull’s rolling mauls and just hanging on to strikes from well-grooved crash ball runs.

In contrast, any such tactic from Rugby saw the ball taker run into a very heavy tackle that must have taken their toll as did the pressure on the pack in the scrums and at the breakdowns.

Lloyd Warner was unlucky when a penalty to tie the scores hit a post after surprisingly fading against the direction of the wind.

On 54 minutes, Hull pretty much sealed the game with a second try following yet another forwards drive and the conversion gave Hull a worryingly big 15-5 lead.

There was a little more heat in the tangles between the players which caused the referee to speak to both captains.

Hull wasted a very good chance before ending the scoring when winger Robin Kitching, hardly seen all game, found room to score on 71 minutes.

Replacement Will Martin and wing Tom Harris made rapid runs in the dying moments but neither move could be carried on to the tryline and a rather dejected Rugby side are still looking to break that losing run.