Recap
Hunslet’s injury woes down their right edge struck again this week as on-loan winger Matty Chrimes and centre Alfie Goddard came off injured at a crucial point in the game.
Hunslet have already lost Mac Walsh (to Toulouse) and Will Adams (to injury) in the right centres as the Parksiders lost a tight tussle against Cumbrians Workington Town today (21 April 2024) at South Leeds Stadium.
The game ebbed and flowed but the visitors got on the front foot as Hunslet had to shuffle their pack midway through the second half.
The first 10 minutes was even-stevens as both teams tried to win the arm wrestle, an end of the fingers tackle stopped Jude Ferreira from getting in the clear, whilst Jimmy Watson had to concede a drop-out diffusing a dangerous kick.
Town did take the lead on the 12th minute though when a chip through hit the base of the post and Jimmy Watson’s attempted flick was pounced on by Stevie Scholey to score. Ciaran Walker converting 0-6.
Jack Mallinson posed a threat for Hunslet with his kicking, but Workington were definitely getting on top. After another drop-out and a dubious Hunslet knock-on Stevie Scholey got his second of the afternoon, Walker converting. 0-12 after 21 minutes.
0-12 could have been 0-18 but good defence kept Hunslet in it, and then a momentum change got the Parksiders on the front foot. A Matty Beharrell kick was palmed back by Alfie Goddard and Aaron Levy swept up to score. Beharrell converting 6-12
Now getting on top it was Hunslet who were forcing the drop-outs. Mallinson and Watson carved a gap and with the Workington defence wobbling Cam Berry scooted over. Beharrell converting to make it 12-12.
The half was ending on a high note for the home side. Harvey Hallas and Ethan O’Hanlon carved a path down the centre for Matty Beharrell to put an inch perfect kick up, Jude Ferreira leaping to score. 18-12 and Hunslet didn’t want the break.
But the break did come and although Hunslet started the second half well on the front foot an ankle injury to Matty Chrimes meant a shift in personnel.
Workington started to get on top, but Hunslet’s defence was good. Town were held up twice and Liam Carr made an excellent try saving tackle.
But on 59 minutes after constant pressure Grant Reid found his way over and with a Walker conversion we were all square at 18-18.
The game breaker came on 63 minutes. Workington full-back Jordan Burns fielded a kick and made a break down the left hand side. Hunslet defenders missed tackles and before we knew it a defensive run turned into attack, Ciaran Walker was there inside to finish it off and Town led 18-24.
The shellshock of the turn-around hit Hunslet hard, having to shuffle the pack through injury, JJ Key rolled out of a tackle on 66 minutes and put the game to bed giving the Cumbrians an 18-30 lead.
Although Jack Render looked to have scored in the corner (it was given as a knock-on) and both Mallinson and Beharrell put in searching kicks, the game petered out, and although there were tempers frayed late on, Workington hung on for the win.
This was a game Hunslet could have won, but in the end small margins turned the outcome of the game. Matty Chrimes was excellent on-loan from Swinton and there were good performances from Jack Mallinson, Ethan Hanlon and Cam Berry.
Hunslet have to get themselves up again for next week’s visit of North Wales Crusaders on Sunday (28 April, 3pm).
