Promotion caps a brilliant year for Hunslet

Ian Pickles 2024 League One season review

There’s nothing like sport for creating highs and lows. This time last year followers of Hunslet RLFC were in the doldrums. Their best season in 10 years, that had promised so much in the play-offs ended in disappointment at the hands of North Wales Crusaders.

But on Sunday October 13^th 2024 the club were victorious at Heywood Road, Sale beating Swinton Lions to win the Promotion play-off and see themselves promoted to the games 2^nd tier for the first time in ten years.

It came at the end of a stunning run in the play-offs, but we are getting ahead of ourselves. How did they get in this position?

At the end of last season Hunslet were Coach-less. Alan Kilshaw had taken the job at Swinton and after impressing in his interview former Keighley and West Bowling Coach Dean Muir was given the job. Hunslet fans may not have known Muir, but he was popular at his previous clubs and had a good back room staff led by Ryan Jackson for advice.

Popular players such as Jimmy Watson, Josh Jordan-Roberts, Jordan Syme and Michael Knowles were retained, and former favourites Ethan O’Hanlon and Cam Berry made a return. Muir brought some trusted allies from Keighley and recruited Ross Whitmore and Brandon Wilkinson from Doncaster. Over a season players come and go, some unfortunately get injured, and also some step up to be heroes.

One eye opening signing was Jude Ferreira. The former Hull FC man looked to be a quality centre and the happy news that Matty Beharrell and Jack Render were back on-board set the fans mouths watering.

The season started with a 16-6 defeat at Barrow in a friendly, where Hunslet tested themselves on the road against Championship opposition. But in the 1895 Cup the team, still finding its feet suffered 12-62 and 0-36 defeats against Featherstone and Batley respectively. In both games Hunslet played well, but against quality opposition it was a tough ask so early in the campaign.

Hunslet did however retain the Harry Jepson Trophy 18-16 over a young Leeds Rhinos team, but were knocked out of the Challenge Cup by Keighley Cougars 14-22, with former Hunslet man Adam Ryder scoring a full length try to seal the game.

Coach Dean Muir had stressed the League was the most important thing, and shaping a team to be competitive come the end of the season was imperative.

Hunslet started at home to Newcastle with a 48-12 victory in a game they were expected to win, but opened people’s eyes a week later with a victory away at Rochdale. Coming from 10-0 down the game swung either way and was 20-20 with 10 minutes to go. A Harvey Hallas try converted by Matty Beharrell was the difference as Hunslet got home 24-26.

That confident start was soon wiped away as Keighley Cougars and then Oldham both scored large victories at the South Leeds Stadium (14-42 and 0-62). Early days, but certainly cracks to fill, especially in defence.

Now Hunslet faced a difficult game on the road at Midlands Hurricanes. Again, Hunslet gave the opposition a start as Midlands shot into an 18-0 lead at Sheffield’s Olympic Heritage Stadium, but resilience got Hunslet back in the game and late tries by Cam Berry and Jude Ferreira sealed a 26-30 Victory. The following week Hunslet welcomed Workington Town to South Leeds. With injury and personnel changes Matty Chrimes had come on loan to sure up the right hand side. Hunslet led at the break 18-12, but with Chrimes injured and the big Workington pack in control, the visitors ground out an 18-30 victory. Food for thought for the Parksiders.

Hunslet had taken Mackenzie Scurr on loan from Bradford Bulls, and he showed his worth a week later as late tries by Scurr and Jack Render saw off a tough North Wales Crusaders side 22-14.

With Wakefield Trinity loanee’s Jack Law and Isaac Shaw playing well Hunslet were starting to gel, but upset all the odds a week later by beating Keighley Cougars 18-26 on their own patch. Jude Ferreira’s 4 tries definitely shone, but the Hunslet defence held out and by the end of the game Keighley looked a demoralized outfit.

The end of May saw a 42-16 victory over Cornwall, before Hunslet took the daunting journey up to Derwent Park, Workington. With new signing Matty Fletcher shining Hunslet ended the first half 10-24 up. But Workington were never going to give in. On the hour they got the score back to 22-24. But for 20 minutes Hunslet’s defence was impenetrable. On the road this Hunslet team was really showing some grit and determination.

June saw a 25-18 victory over Midlands Hurricanes, even though Hunslet again gave the visitors a 10 point start.

A week later confidence was rocked as Rochdale Hornets inflicted an 18-48 victory at the South Leeds Stadium. Rochdale had the luck of the bounce of the ball, but Hunslet were miles off in a game against a team who they may be contesting for a top 4 spot.

The following week a visit to Oldham was a chance to avenge the earlier 0-62 score line. Although Hunslet gifted Oldham two early tries, they were in the game for large parts despite losing Matty Beharrell to injury. In the end losing 30-6.

A hastily re-arranged game at Blaydon RUFC saw Hunslet beat Newcastle on the road 16-42, before a visit to Colwyn Bay to play North Wales Crusaders saw probably Hunslet’s best 40 minutes of the season. Leading 10-12 at the break they blew the Crusaders away with a superb performance winning 16-46 and including another Liam Carr try. The forward claiming the mantle of super-sub.

Hunslet now had on loan from Huddersfield George Flanagan Jnr. The halfback/fullback had been a young boy when his dad played at Hunslet, and was now becoming an important cog in the Parksiders wheel.

Elation soon turned to despair as Workington Town were victorious again at the South Leeds Stadium. A poor first half gave Hunslet too much to do and they ran out 24-32 losers. A few weeks off gave Hunslet something to think about.

A tough trip to Cornwall was navigated 26-33, before Hunslet turned round a 0-18 deficit at home to beat North Wales Crusaders 28-20. Mackenzie Turner, on-loan from Oldham getting a late try to seal it.

The following week at Keighley Hunslet were in the game at 10-10 when Blackmore was sent off for the home side. This should have been positive for Hunslet, but the Cougars consolidated and ended up winning 40-22 to the frustration of the Hunslet Coaching staff.

It was now clear Hunslet were going to get a top 4 finish, but whether 3^rd or 4^th depended on the last round of matches. A late Josh Jordan-Roberts try saw Hunslet pip Midlands 22-28 at the Alexander Stadium, Birmingham, but a Rochdale victory over Keighley meant Hunslet finished 4^th at the end of the regular season.

Not having won a play-off game since 2014 meant Hunslet had to perform, having two bites of the cherry meant they were likelier to go far, but a tough first match at in-form Rochdale Hornets was going to be a fiery baptism.

A vocal contingent of Hunslet supports roared the Parksiders into a 0-10 lead, but Rochdale hit back and led 20-14 at the break. Although Rochdale won the game 30-18 it was felt injuries had cost Hunslet and they could have got much closer.

The play-offs were now do or die. Midlands Hurricanes were the visitors to South Leeds, and the three previous victories counted for nothing. Leading 12-6 at the break it was looking good, but Midlands clawed a 12-14 advantage with minutes remaining, until Jack Render again saved the day with a late try. Hunslet winning 18-14.

Back to Rochdale, and knock-out football. Hunslet now knew they had to win at Rochdale, Keighley and Swinton if they were to be promoted to the Championship. A tough ask.

Both sides traded blows in the first half in front of a vocal crowd and tense atmosphere. 18-18 at the break, but in a stunning 20 minutes of Rugby League Hunslet scored four tries to take the game away from Rochdale, winning 26-46 with on-loan forward Ethan Wood starting to make a difference.

So it was to the Play-off Final at Keighley Cougars. Now, Hunslet were a different beast. Their defence had shored up and took everything Keighley threw at them. Aaron Levy was magnificent against his old club, and Alfie Goddard found a new position in the centres. Hunslet won the day 6-20 and celebrated with their fans after holding the Play-off Trophy aloft.

Controversy after the game saw the Hunslet fans raise money for winner’s medals not provided by the Rugby League. This brought fans, players and families together in preparation for a tough ask the coming week. Hunslet had now gained the right to play for promotion against Swinton, who had finished 3^rd from bottom of the Championship in what was titled a Promotion decider.

Swinton, Coached by former Hunslet Coach Alan Kilshaw were favourites, but on the road this Hunslet team had been formidable.

Swinton started on the front foot leading 10-0 on 30 minutes, but a Mackenzie Turner interception try reduced it to 10-6 at the break. Again, Hunslet came out strong in the 2^nd half and quick tries by Berry and Flanagan got them in the lead. Swinton hit back with 2 quick tries and it looked like it was a step too far for the Parksiders, but another late Jack Render try sent the travelling fans into rapture.

On the hooter the Hunslet bench went wild. From finishing 4^th in League 1 Hunslet had gained promotion hitting form at precisely the right time.

But now the hard work starts. The club will play in the Championship in 2025 against teams like Bradford, Widnes, Halifax and Batley. Support is essential and Hunslet will ask that army of supporters that got them over the line to back the team with membership and season ticket purchases.

Also, sponsors are essential. The club has had the backing of Jason Peterkin and 24/7 Blinds, Tony Levison, Tricel, Fernco, Copier Company, Advantage 42, Hare & Hounds, TUFF sportswear and Vestin this season as well as Matchday and Player sponsors, but they will seek out more backing for the Championship.

Then there is the team, Dean Muir will hope to keep many players and recruiting has already began. But with a chance of Championship Rugby perhaps many players may now consider Hunslet a good option.

Work behind the scenes in hospitality and improving the stadium is underway and with new shared tenants South Leeds FC and Hunslet Wolves RUFC the South Leeds Stadium may become a hotbed of sport.

With local Hunslet ARLFC also having yet another successful season it shows Rugby League is alive and well in the area.

As a supporter run club Hunslet RLFC can thank each and every member for what will go down as one of the clubs best ever seasons. 2024, you were great! On to 2025.