Swinton Lions 20 Hunslet 22

Hunslet’s season went right down to the wire last night at Heywood Road, Sale (Oct 13th) as a Jack Render try with 2 minutes to go edged Hunslet in front in a tightly fought contest to send the travelling supporters into rapture, and the Parksiders into the Championship for the first time in ten years.

After last week’s play-off final victory at Keighley Coach Dean Muir and his staff had to get the players up again for a Promotion play-off game against Swinton who had finished 3rd from bottom of the Championship.

The fans and families gave the players an emotional send off at the South Leeds Stadium, and the team were presented with a cheque of money raised to buy the lads a set of medals that had not been available for either game.

Under floodlights the pre-match atmosphere was electric, both sets of fans nervous of the outcome.

Swinton had the most to lose, and Coached by former Hunslet Coach Alan Kilshaw came out of the blocks from the off. Both sides made few mistakes early on, but a Hunslet knock-on in their own half invited Swinton pressure.

The Parksiders defence won them the game at Keighley last week and again they held firm as Mackenzie Turner saved a certain try. Hunslet did get a chance to attack and both Alfie Goddard and Jack Render went close, but on the 15th minute Swinton opened the scoring when a long ball to Rhys Williams cut out the Hunslet defence and the winger was able to squeeze in the corner. 4-0

Worryingly now Swinton made a break, but a George Flanagan tackle saved the day. Still. Swinton were in hot form and on 20 minutes stretched their lead as a kick on the last tackle was batted back for Mitch Cox to score. Dan Abram converting off the post. 10-0.

Things got worse for Hunslet as strike centre Jude Ferreira had to come off with an ankle injury, but again with Swinton playing the ball to the left Alfie Goddard saved a certain try by intercepting and going 60 yards before being caught. Hunslet had position to attack but a loose ball let them down.

As the half was coming to an end Swinton didn’t learn. Another long pass out to the left was read by Mackenzie Turner who intercepted. This time no one was going to catch the flyer. Turner scoring and receiving a knee to the back for his troubles. The Referee didn’t award an extra penalty so Matty Beharrell took the 2 on offer and we were 10-6.

Hunslet ended the half on the attack, but knocked on with the line approaching. Still, on the hooter the score was 10-6. Hunslet would be the happier having little field position. A big 40 minutes was on the way.

Hunslet’s interchange bench has been massive this season, and from the off in the second period Ethan O’Hanlon made a break and put Swinton on the back foot. The Ref waving ‘6 again’ meant Hunslet could lay siege to the Swinton line. Harvey Hallas drove a ball in and looked to be held, but the forward slipped the ball out for the lively Cam Berry to dive over for a try. Beharrell’s conversion edged Hunslet ahead 10-12 on 44 minutes.

Now Hunslet went for the throat. George Flanagan made a break, and after The Parksiders were awarded a penalty the 19 year old showing nous and skill fooled the Swinton defence with a huge dummy and nipped over to score. Beharrell converting 10-18

The Hunslet fans would have been praying for the full time hooter now, but we still had 30 minutes to go. On 55 minutes Swinton made a break in midfield and from the ensuing play former Hunslet man Mikey Wood wrestled his way under the posts. 16-18

11 minutes later and Swinton had found a second wind. The Hunslet defence was holding, but on the last tackle the ball was released and Hunslet were caught short of defenders on the Swinton right. Jonny Vaughan, on loan from St Helens found a gap and scored, and although the conversion missed Swinton led 20-18

Vaughan looked dangerous in attack again, but Hunslet held firm and found themselves back on the attack. Both Michael Knowles and George Flanagan put in kicks, but they were either defended or too strong to bother the Swinton defence.

Swinton could have sealed it in the last moments as Rhys Williams put a grubber kick in along the floor, but Hunslet dived on the loose ball and soon found themselves with a chance to win it.

Camped on the Swinton line, the ball went out to the left. Matty Beharrell put a long ball in to Jack Render. The big winger stepped the defender and headed for the corner, ball in right hand. Render plonked the ball over the line and hoped he’d stayed in play. Like so many times this season he had judged to perfection and the Referee pointed for a try!! Although there was no conversion Hunslet led 20-22 in added time.

Swinton tried a short kick off and regained possession, but Hunslet held on, and at the final hooter the Hunslet bench and supporters erupted into scenes of joy and relief.

Coach Dean Muir has said all year it’s about getting the best team out on the field and hitting form come the Play-off’s, and to his credit that’s exactly what’s happened. The resilience and grit of this side is something to behold. Whilst players like Jack Render and Cam Berry put the icing on the cake, other players like Ross Whitmore and Jordan Syme work tirelessly to build the foundations.

Hunslet may need to recruit for the Championship, but if they can keep the majority of these players they’ll know they have a team who will work for each other and don’t know when they are beaten.

SWINTON – Abram, Purcell, Vaughan, Hatton, Williams, Stevens, Gibson, Bennion, Eaves, Houghton, Cooper, Cox, Wood, Roby, Cowen, Walker, Case, Brown.

HUNSLET – Flanagan, Turner, Goddard, Ferreira, Render, Knowles, Beharrell, Carr, Whitmore, Fletcher, Jordan-Roberts, Wood, Syme, Berry, Hallas, Wray, O’Hanlon, Coventry.