Hunslet 16 vs 60 Oldham
Hunslet’s 5000th game ended in a large defeat to an Oldham side pushing for 2nd spot in the Betfred Championship at the South Leeds Stadium.
The game was in the balance at half-time, but two quick tries after the break were a blow to Hunslet from which they never recovered, although The Parksiders now face teams in or around them rather than teams in the top 4 in what has turned out to be a cruel fixture list.
Although Ethan O’Hanlon went close early on, penalties and ‘6 agains’ went Oldham’s way as The Roughyeds woke from an early slumber.
Hunslet had defended well but on 10 minutes an Oldham attack to the right found room after a Hunslet defender shot out and Tom Nisbet was able to dive over in the corner. Morgan Smith converting 0-6
The decisions seemed to be going Oldham’s way, but the next try frustratingly came after a Hunslet attack. Lee Gaskell put in a kick close to Oldham’s line, but The Roughyeds fielded it and attacked in numbers, passes and a final kick bounced perfectly for Luke Forber to score under the posts. 0-12
A quarter way into the match and Oldham had a lead probably gifted to them. Myes Harrop made a break but the resulting kick was easily fielded and Oldham took a quick tap to attack. Agoro and Turner got back to defend and Hunslet were let off the hook.
On 28 minutes though on the last tackle predictably Oldham went wide and Forber notched his 2nd, Smith converting well. 0-18
Eventually on 34 minutes Hunslet made a breakthrough. Harvey Hallas had gone close before Gaskell helped the ball to Agoro who dived over in the corner. Dan Abram converting 6-18
Although Oldham made another break it was Hunslet who scored next on 39 minutes. Charlie Graham had made good yards before Dan Abram put a neat kick through for Kevin Larroyer to pounce on. Abram converting and it was 12-18 at the break.
Hunslet had early ball in the second half, but brought disaster on themselves. A loose ball went to ground and as a Parksider tried to kill it but the ball bounced up for Morgan Smith to have a walk over try. 12-24
Still in shock Hunslet missed a quick play from acting half-back and Josh Drinkwater finished off the try to give Smith an easy conversion. 12-30 on 45 minutes.
The bounce again went for Oldham on 50 minutes as Hunslet couldn’t gather and Nisbet completed a brace in the right corner. 12-36 and the game was more or less over.
Although the game was gone Hunslet still played creative Rugby, but either put out terrible passes or failed to field a short drop-out.
On 65 minutes Matty Wildie strolled in easily under the posts, then on 72 and 75 minutes respectively Bayley Liu and Morgan Smith added further tries. 12-54
Although Mackenzie Turner added a consolation try when Oldham put the ball to ground and Kevin Larroyer got fired up after a late tackle Owen Farnworth scored the last points in added time with an easy try by the posts. 16-60
The second half was a disappointment. Hunslet were in it at Half-time and could have really took the game to Oldham, but the same individual errors and missed tackles cost them as The Roughyeds came out the hungrier of the teams.
Dan Abram picked up the ‘Tricks of the Trade’ Sponsors Player of the Match and Mo Agoro the Phoenix Bar Supporters player of the match, Charlie Graham looked dangerous and Jimmy Watson was solid, but Hunslet need to get their heads on next week to beat a Whitehaven team (who they have already beaten this year) if they are to end the Season on a much needed positive with 5 games remaining.
HUNSLET – Watson, Agoro, Graham, Harrop, Turner, Gaskell, Abram, Baldwinson, Doolan, O’Hanlon, Gilmore, Darcy Simpson, Battye, Walker, Larroyer, Hallas, Berry, Tydeman.
OLDHAM – Walker, Nisbet, Davies, O’Keefe, Luke Forber, Smith, Drinkwater, Chappelhow, Wildie, McKinney, Ashurst, Liu, Milner, Tom Forber, Farnworth, Lannon, Moore, Irwin.
