Treble for Wilson as Hull seal triumph

SPEEDSTER Sam Wilson scored a spectacular hattrick as Hull Ionians notched their seventh consecutive win away at Sedgley Park to remain top of the table.

The hosts had been in front 24-14 at half-time, a lead fully deserved after tries from Matthew Riley, James Lloyd and Stephen Collins capped some wonderfully inventive attacking rugby.

Both sides then exchanged scores before in three second-half minutes Wilson completed his hattrick and Ed Falkingham scored to turn the game on its head to keep Hull's outstanding winning run alive.

"Our second-half performance, soaking up their pressure, then hitting them with two quickfire scores won us the game for sure," said Hull Director of Rugby Martyn Wood.

He added: "To a man, it showed the spirit and desire we have and if we can maintain that anything can happen.

"Credit to Sedgley Park, they pushed us all the way and it was a very difficult game.

"We're absolutely delighted to come here and get the win and the five points."

Riley's try, converted by Collins, after three minutes was the perfect start for Park but speedster Wilson's first try of the day with Lewis Minikin adding the extras levelled the scores after 11 minutes, 7-7.

The sides then exchanged tries once again with Park's Lloyd crossing first before prop Benjamin Bell struck back. Both kickers converted but a penalty from Collins ensured the hosts held a narrow threepoint lead.

The fly-half then scored and converted a try of his own to give the home side a very much deserved 24-14 lead at half-time.

Both teams scored tries early in the second-half as the game continued to be end-to-end. First, Wilson scored his second before Riley also notched a brace to secure the try-scoring bonus-point for the hosts.

However, the lead was reduced as Minikin converted but Collins attempt was wayward, 29-21.

Two quickfire tries came next on 61 and 63 minutes to stun the hosts. First Wilson completed his treble to secure the tryscoring bonus-point before No.8 Falkingham powered over.

The two conversions from Minikin ensured Hull took the lead for the first time and despite a late onslaught from the home side, the league leaders held out for another impressive victory.

Team manager Geoff Roberts came out of the match positive despite the disappointing result.

"Although we lost the game, that is possibly our best performance of the season so far."

He added: "Of course it's disappointing to lose control of the game the way we did when we had led fo so long, which has cost us ultimately.

"But to play so well against the league leaders was a positive sign and with us getting a number of key players back from injury it has to be onwards and upwards for us in the next few weeks."