Murphy magic as Lions are mauled
HULL director of rugby Chris Murphy played a prominent part as his side saw off Leicester Lions in a 27-13 victory.
Murphy scored two tries and made another as the performance he suggested had been around the corner finally came to fruition.
Hull's first score came inside the opening minute when Murphy forced his way over for an unconverted effort.
Leicester responded with a fifth-minute penalty, but it proved their only score in the first half as Hull took control.
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After just eight minutes, a clean break by new Hull fly-half Barrett should have resulted in a try, however, the supporting players over-ran the ball carrier and a golden chance was missed.
Several other scoring opportunities were scorned, but Hull kept pressing and when Barrett made another fine break, experienced back rower Rob Devonshire drove over the line, converted by Barrett.
From the restart, Hull forced errors from Leicester and from the resulting penalty and kick for touch Hull mounted a classic catch and drive from five yards out. Murphy was credited with the try which Barrett converted to give Hull a healthy 19-3 half-time lead.
The second half saw the visitors in much more determined mood and Hull's dominance of scrums faded.
Leicester mounted a series of punishing attacks and when Murphy was yellow-carded after 47 minutes the visitors smelt blood. But it was to the credit of Hull's remaining forwards that they thwarted their opponents for several minutes before the almost inevitable penalty try was awarded.
Having converted that try, Leicester added a penalty a few minutes later and Hull were just one score ahead.
With substitutes used and the game entering its decisive phase, Hull were awarded a penalty when Leicester held on at the ruck.
When Barrett kicked another penalty after 74 minutes, Leicester were faced with needing to score twice to win, and despite some forceful running from their backs, Hull's defence held out.
As the game entered its last few minutes, Hull forced a line-out near the Leicester line and the resulting maul was steered to the try-line with blind side flanker Maka getting the score.
With the seconds ticking away, Hull seemed certain to score again but Wigglesworth's break from his own half came to nothing as his final chip ahead rolled dead.
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