KIRKBY Lonsdale fought off strong winds and the snow to get their home fixture against Hull played at the third time of asking.

The visitors proved to be too strong, however, running out 42-12 winners and moved up to send in the table as a result.

The chill extended to the Kirkby squad who were without four key players for this first ever game against Hull.

Prop Tyran Fagan, first choice second rowers Gareth Gore and Matt Hughes and centre Scott Armstrong all missed out.

Stepping up from the development squad were youngsters James Fishwick, who started in the second row, with James Law and Will Brown on the bench.

Hull kicked off towards the town with the gale at their backs and were over for an unconverted try with four minutes on the clock.

When snow was carried on the gale into eyes it must have been difficult for Kirkby to see and Hull quickly scored again when they went in under the posts. This time the conversion was accurate with the kick making it 12-0 to the visitors.

A promising Kirkby attack failed when they lost the ball in a tackle inside the Hull twenty two and the visitors counter attacked at pace to score their third try, James Fishwick putting in a brave tackle in the process but in doing so picking up an injury which took him off the field and brought Will Brown into the action.

There was concern about Kirkby tackling but that is a Kirkby strength and the concern may have overlooked the fact that Hull, who look like a semi-professional outfit, are a big fast side who run very well on good angles.

It was backs to the wall for Kirkby in the first half as Hull ran in two more tries, one against fourteen men when Kirkby stand-off Dave Barton was yellow carded for what the ref adjudged to be a deliberate knock down of a pass and the visitors led 34-0 at the end of the first half.

However, it was Kirkby’s turn to ride the wind in the second half and skipper Ben Walker scored an unconverted try to put them on the board at 34-5.

A Hull penalty made it 37-5 before Barton wove some magic to put young winger Harry Huddleston in for a try by the left corner flag. Given the conditions, it seemed an impossible task for Tom Pickthall to convert from near the touchline but he found the target to make it 37-12.

Hull made the final score 42-12 late on with an unconverted try which left Kirkby clinging to the fact that they had won the second half, but not by as much as Hull won the first.

Kirkby’s man of the match was number eight Alex Rogers for an untiring and skilful effort from the back of a scrum which was under pressure all day.