Hunslet RLFC 6-38 Workington Town
Hunslet looked to make it four wins from four in the Betfred Championship at the South Leeds Stadium (3 May 2026), but with more injuries added to the every growing list last week at Whitehaven, The Parksiders lacked the firepower to halt an inspired Workington.
Town have a great record recently at the South Leeds Stadium, but it was Hunslet who started the brighter, Harvey Hallas held up in the opening minutes.
Missing Billy Jowitt and Myles Harrop in the backs Hunslet had taken three young Leeds Rhinos on loan and the early chance had been created by one of the loanees Riley Lumb with a winding run.
On 7 minutes though Workington broke on the left, and although the ball inside was loose it was scooped up by Jake Carter who went to score and convert his own try, 0-6
4 minutes later another Town attack looked to have been halted, but frustratingly on the last tackle Workington threw another loose ball out to the right for Alex Donaghy (on his 100th career appearance) to score. 0-12
The sharpness was missing from Hunslet, and although O’Hanlon ran well, Qareqare went close and Jimmy Watson had the ball rattled loose as he dived in the corner, the hosts couldn’t score.
On 22 minutes Jake Carter added a penalty for interference at the play of the ball. 0-14 and it was an uphill task for The Parksiders.
The real damage was Workington’s kicking game, they pegged back Hunslet each time in the corners and chased up well, but The Parksiders kept at it. Jimmy Watson was held short again and after a re-shuffle (Lee Gaskell having left the field) Joe Butterfield went close, before Ant Walker hit an inside ball and wrestled his way over to score on 40 minutes. Dan Abram converting 6-14 at the break.
Town came out in the second period lively and Riley Lumb (now at fullback) tackled a Zarrin Galea break well, but Hunslet needed points. Joe Diskin was lively and Dan Abram was unlucky with his kicks, but on 54 minutes Workington killed the game when Alex Donaghy scored his second try in the corner, again on the last tackle. 6-20
4 minutes later Jake Carter got his second try as he sliced through a tired defence, converting to make it 6-26.
The afternoon could be summed up for Hunslet when they forced a drop-out and then knocked-on from the kick, a frustrating afternoon.
Workington added tries from Oscar Doran and a fine solo try from Zarrin Galea, and Jake Carter ended the afternoon with 7 kicks from 7 and a personal haul of 22 points. 6-38
Hunslet missed Eddie Battye up front who has been a key player this season, but on-loan Jordan Baldwinson did a good job at loose-forward playing a full 80 minutes and winning the Tricks of the Trade Sponsors Player of the Match, whilst Charlie Graham picked up the Phoenix Bar Supporters Man of the Match. Harrison Gilmore and Liam Carr also ran well.
Head Coach Kyle Trout recognised his side were missing key players, but felt the intensity of recent weeks wasn’t there. Hunslet now have a few weeks off to get some players back fit for their trip to Barrow on 24 May.
Hunslet RLFC: Abram, Watson, Graham, Qareqare, Lumb, Gaskell, Ward, Hallas, Berry, O’Hanlon, Gilmore, Carr, Baldwinson. Interchange: Eli Simpson, Walker, Butterfield, Diskin.
Workington Town: Galea, Donaghy, Leigh, Osayoneambo-Corkill, Oscar Doran, Carter, Wear, Castle, Phillips, Farrer, Lewthwaite, Ainley, Williams. Interchange: Jamie Doran, Rawhiti, Graham, Walmsley. 18th Player: Reid.
