Rochdale Hornets 6 vs 42 Hunslet RLFC
Hunslet’s on-loan signing Bureta Faraimo scored 5 tries as Hunslet demolished Rochdale Hornets at the Crown Oil Arena.
It was the performance Hunslet fans have been waiting for all season as The Parksiders clicked in all areas of the field against a Hornets side unbeaten in 3 games, bringing Hunslet their first win after two disappointing outings against Dewsbury and Salford.
From the off, the Parksiders were disciplined as Rochdale were pegged back in their own 20 with fierce drives from Keelan Foster and Harvey Hallas.
A Lee Gaskell kick nearly resulted in a try for Mo Agoro, but on 3 minutes a long Gaskell ball found Faraimo in the left-hand corner. Billy Jowitt converting superbly. 0-6.
Hunslet were playing good Rugby with another loan signing, Isaac Misky particularly threatening, but Billy Jowitt was aware when Rochdale ventured into Hunslet’s 20 for the first time on 13 minutes, the full-back covering a dangerous kick.
Jack Hansen threatened from a break for Rochdale and had a Ross Whitmore pass stuck it would have been all square, but on 19 minutes from a scrum another good Lee Gaskell ball sent Faraimo in again in the corner. Jowitt again converting 0-12.
The big USA international completed a hat trick on 25 minutes when, from a scrum, he wrestled his way over in the corner. 0-16.
Rochdale were shell shocked and Hunslet struck again 3 minutes later, this time Jowitt releasing Harrop on the left, the former Rochdale man sending Eddie Battye flying to the line, too strong for the defenders to halt. 0-22.
Hunslet’s attacking shape had been superb all half and, on 35 minutes, Lee Gaskell (who was at the hub of everything) sent another long ball to Bureta Faraimo who scored his 4th of the afternoon. 0-26.
The edge was taken off slightly when Keelan Foster had to retire injured after his best performance in a Hunslet shirt, but at the break Hunslet led convincingly 0-26.
Rochdale were bound to come out in the second half a bit more inspired after the shock of the first half, and had more possession early on, but on 45 minutes Bureta Faraimo equalled Hunslet’s post 1973 record for tries in a game when he proved far too strong to stop after Billy Jowitt and Myles Harrop again combined superbly. 0-30.
Eventually, Rochdale gained some momentum, but the last kick or pass wasn’t there, and on 65 minutes, Hunslet scored their best try when Misky and Corbett combined to set Billy Jowitt over for a superb try. 0-36.
On 71 minutes, after a bit of pressure, TJ Boyd stepped inside for Rochdale to score, Dallimore converting 6-36, but the game was then held up for a long while after a Rochdale player was injured in a tackle, though thankfully later was ok.
After the game got back underway, Dan Abram went close for Hunslet before Ethan O’Hanlon burst forward to set up Isaac Misky for a deserved try. Jowitt converting 6-42.
It couldn’t have been a more different Hunslet performance. Disciplined, with great shape and ruthless in defence.
Faraimo and Misky certainly made a difference, but there was a superb debut for Charlie Graham and Foster, Harrop, Corbett, Gilmore and Whittel all had great games.
Also, noticeable was the link between Dan Abram and Lee Gaskell as Half-back which augers well for the rest of the season. Now Hunslet have their first win, they will be confident of having a good crack at Sheffield Eagles next week (March 1st).
