After over 800 minutes, and a nine-game, losing streak, the Nottingham Outlaws finally claimed victory at the weekend, when at their Lenton Lane home, winning43-30 against the visiting East Hull.

That nine-game streak began back in May, coming off the back of another home win, that being a 28-14 against New Earswick All Blacks.

Since then, the Outlaws have been shipping tries, points, and more, to that of Siddal (twice, 54-0 and 46-6), Brighouse Rangers (twice, 34-12 and 48-6), Queensbury (twice, 64-10 and 34-10), Bentley (30-9), New Earswick All Blacks (46-6), and Cutsyke Raiders (32-16) – but there’s been signs of their ability, signs they could turn it around.

Against East Hull however, everything just clicked for Player-Coach Adam Cunliffe, and his recently shell-shocked players, and in doing so took part in what a highly-entertaining, fast paced encounter, one which would also see victory be their first over their East Yorkshire opponents.

As has been the case of late, the Outlaws made a number of enforced changes to the pack, Charlie Clarke and Luke Wadding pairing up as centres for the first time this season, whilst a new halfback pairing saw that of Sam Dennison, and Player-Coach, Adam Cunliffe, team up as key playmakers.

After just five minutes, the home support must have, again, been fearing the worst, the Outlaws gifting East Hull two penalties which they kindly took for themselves, making for the Outlaws red zone, and taking an all-too familiar, lead.

Cunliffe and the Outlaws needed to find something and, shortly after, they thought they had done, the Player-Coach himself crossing , only to be held up; but, after fifteen minutes, the lead was taken by the hosts, George Strachan powering over from close, and Gaz Whitfield adding the extras.

That afforded a little respite, and a 6-4 lead, a lead they never relinquished, and one in which they were both buoyed, and inspired, captain Coryn Ward taking the proverbial bull by the horns and scoring an eloquently beautiful solo effort to extend the hosts’ advantage.

Ward would latch onto what was a superb, flat pass, burst through a gap that had presented itself, hit the accelerator as he rounded the visiting fullback, and touched down under the posts to open a 12-4 advantage.

The confidence flowed, and it showed in the Outlaws’ on-field progression, Cunliffe adding a scoring shortly after, collecting his own, weighted chip, to cross for his first points of the game, however, shortly before the half was blown the visitors crossed for a try of their own – no matter, it was a ten-point advantage for the Outlaws who went in 18-8 at the interval.

Despite the advantage, recent weeks gave them added wariness when they emerged for the second period, and, having made a number of changes, knew they needed to hit the ground running, and so they did, eventually.

Bringing on four new faces at the half, in Rory McQueen, who made a welcome return, alongside JP Roberts, Joe Raine and Liam Heaney, the Outlaws weathered an early storm from the visitors, a defence that had shipped so much in recent weeks, holding form, whilst at the other end, it was a case of biding time until opportunities presented.

Strachan was first out of the blocks for the Outlaws, producing a carbon copy finish to that which he’d done in the first period to widen the lead to 24-8; but the visitors were far from out of it, a dropped ball proving costly and East Hull were back in the hunt, reducing the advantage to ten, and with twenty still left on the clock.

Cunliffe would be seen to add his second score of the game to re-extend the home advantage as daylight was start to show between the two sides before the Player-Coach turned provided, sending Ronan Treble through in the corner; Whitfield with a sweet conversion from a tight angle on the touchline to further extend the lead.

Strachan meanwhile, he was far from finished and completed a deserved hat-trick from short-range, seeing out three defenders when doing so; the home supporters’ noise unbowed by a late, consolation try, from the visitors, the Outlaws having done before than enough, wrapping up an impressive, 42-20 victory.

Player-Coach Cunliffe said afterwards that: “It was a good win and one that we have building nicely for.

“I thought we were patient with the ball and made good decisions.

“It’s great that the lads have finally been rewarded for all of their hard work!”

Saturday (21 August) will see the Outlaws play their last, Yorkshire League match of the season, at home to Bentley; Lenton Lane will also be turned into a sea of blue as they also present ‘The Nottingham outlaws Legends Day’ for more information click here.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @outlawsRL a win at last for Nottingham Outlaws.