Recap
Hunslet RLFC 4-54 Oldham RLFC
Hunslet lost out to an Oldham side who are firmly planted in the Top 4 at the South Leeds Stadium (1 June 2025), showing just how tough a competition the Championship is.
Oldham came up from League 1 with Hunslet last season, but have recruited well as they look to make a case for an eventual place in Super League.
The Lancastrians started out on the front foot but were helped by Hunslet errors and dumb plays as The Parksiders coughed the ball up twice on the first tackle.
The first try came on 7 minutes when from a scrum Josh Drinkwater dummied his way over and converted the try. 0-6
A kick through on 14 minutes was not dealt with by Hunslet and Matthieu Pons capitalised to score. 0-12
Hunslet could not get the ball or keep it for any period, and further tries were added on 18 minutes and 25 minutes by Jack Johnson and Matthieu Pons. 0-20
Another kick from Hunslet went straight out and Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e teased the Hunslet defence before reaching over. 0-26
The attacks kept coming and Gil Dudson wrestled his way over on 36th minutes, before Ryan Lannon finished off a break down the right on the hooter. Drinkwater converting his 5th of the half. 0-38 and a tough one to take for the home fans.
The second half had to be an improvement and it was. For 20 minutes the game ebbed and flowed, but although Foster and Clavering went close, and Jowitt and Syme made a half break Hunslet were lacking in attacking skill.
A Billy Jowitt kick was cleared by Oldham after the home side frustratingly thought the man was tackled over the line. Another decision not going Hunslet’s way led to Eloi Pelisier scoring from close in on the hour. 0-44
A Drinkwater break led to a Ted Chapelhow try on 63 minutes, then Jack Johnson got his second of the afternoon after good passing to the right. 0-54
It could have been a huge score. But Hunslet fought to the end and on 77 minutes after a repeat set Lachy Hanneghan put a kick through for Liam Welham to score. 4-54
Jowitt again troubled Oldham, but on the hooter there was only one winner and a bad day at the office all round came to an end for Hunslet.
In such a strong league these games will happen for Hunslet, but at times they were architects of their own downfall and harsh words were said by Head Coach Dean Muir after the game.
Kobe Rugless picked up the Tricks of the Trade sponsors Man of the Match and the Phoenix Bar Supporters Man of the Match for a lively performance, and Sam Campbell-Webb also put himself about, but things will have to improve if Hunslet hope to get something out of their next match a week on Sunday (15 June) at Featherstone Rovers.