West Hull hit 90 points against Edinburgh Eagles in Challenge Cup

WEST HULL 90 EDINBURGH EAGLES 0
STEPHANIE REDFERN, Johnny Whiteley Park, Saturday

THERE was always likely to be only one outcome in the meeting of the Scottish champions and one of the best amateur sides in the country.

Edinburgh were predictably scuttled by the Green and Golds, although the Eagles’ cause is hardly helped by the timing of the early stages of the Challenge Cup.

The Scottish League usually starts in May and clubs from north of the border inevitably struggle to field their strongest team for games in January.

Edinburgh faced the National Conference League giants without recognised halfbacks, while their Fijian players turned out after completing guard duty at their barracks.

Although West Hull would in all likelihood have won convincingly whatever the circumstances, it’s doubtful that they would have approached three figures against a team at full complement.

There was no questioning, however, the hosts’ superiority and the sinbinning of visiting hooker Apenai Kororua early in the second period for use of the knees in a tackle had no bearing on the outcome.

Wests had already extended a 54-0 interval lead to 58 points by that stage, and they were 66 points to the good by the time the miscreant returned.

Loose-forward Jack Petre was magnificent for the Scots but, otherwise, the celebrations were all West Hull’s.

Two players – Josh Oliver and Kieran Masike – scored hat-tricks, and there were two tries apiece for Eligh Wilkinson and Jack Watts.

Wilkinson’s brace was notched in the opening quarter, while Oliver, Josh Wood, Josh Jarvis, Masike, Matty Grant, Elliott Jones and Jacob Moore also crossed before the break.

Oliver and Masike completed their hat-tricks in the second period, when Harry Trulson also dotted down. Jack Townend landed 13 goals.

Wests are fully aware, though, that the trip to Hunslet ARLFC – the reigning NCL champions – on Saturday is a different proposition entirely.

GAMESTAR: Wests scrum-half Jack Townend who, while not touching down himself, guided the Green and Golds around the park to telling effect and landed 13 goals for good measure.

GAMEBREAKER: Seven tries in the opening quarter tells its own story.

WESTS
1 Elliott Jones
2 Kieran Masike
3 Tom Verity
4 Jack Watts
5 Eligh Wilkinson
6 Josh Wood
7 Jack Townend
8 Oscar Ellerington
9 Jacob Moore
10 Josh Jarvis
11 Fian Goodhand
12 Benn Arbon
13 Josh Oliver
Subs
14 Matty Grant
15 Harry Trulson
16 Ellis Opie
17 Robbie Jones

Tries: Wilkinson (2, 13), Oliver (10, 68, 74), Wood (11), Jarvis (14), Masike (16, 45, 57), Grant (17), Jones (31), Moore (34), Watts (44, 72), Trulson (61)
Goals: Townend 13/16

EAGLES
1 Cam Matthews
2 Rory McMillan
3 Eroni Vatuloka
4 Vilikesa Saqanalewa
5 Vilame Rokobuli
6 Stephen Paton
7 Sean Taylor
22 John McMillan
9 Apenai Kororua
10 Andrew Sweenie
11 Harris Johnstone
12 Lui Kurusiga
13 Jack Petre
Subs
14 Akuila Waibuta
15 Joshua Jack
16 Joshua Rennie
17 Kolinio Nawale