Hunslet RLFC 16-18 Whitehaven RLFC
Hunslet rued an hour of mistakes and sloppiness as Whitehaven hung on for victory in an average quality game at the South Leeds Stadium.
Both sides never got into a real rhythm, but Hunslet found a spark in the last quarter and were unlucky not to escape with a draw on the hooter as Lee Gaskell couldn’t convert against a strong wind when Whitehaven were penalised at the death.
Whitehaven took the early advantage and were unlucky not to score out on the left as Jay Wetherall looked to score only to be denied by a superb Mo Agoro tackle.
The Cumbrians did however take the lead on 10 minutes when a short kick on the last tackle was touched down by Ciaran Walker. 0-4
Hunslet came into the game and should have scored when a Lee Gaskell pass was put down by Myles Harrop, but with Sam Grice going close moments later The Parksiders had woken up.
The problem was that Hunslet couldn’t keep possession. Knock on’s from kicks and at just simple plays gave Whitehaven the ball and they lapped up the possession and made few mistakes.
Gaskell and Harrop combined again moments later but the referee ruled out the touchdown and Hunslet were left wondering where that first try would come from.
On the half hour a move down the right sent Charlie Graham free and as he drew the defender it looked a shoe in for a Gaskell try, but the ball went to ground and a desperate sigh went round the stadium.
Ciaran Walker added 2 points on 33 minutes for Hunslet laying on, but The Parksiders were having a nightmare. Berry was held up and Turner went close, but the ball was like a bar of soap in the home team’s hands as ball after ball went to ground.
On 39 minutes Mackenzie Turner broke through and was tackled a yard short. The ensuing play was illegally halted and Whitehaven were reduced to 12 men. However a certain try was stopped and from the resulting penalty Mo Agoro couldn’t handle the pass and Hunslet went in at the break trailing. 0-6
The second half started badly for The Parksiders. Playing against 12 men a kick was fumbled and the player gathering the ball tackled into touch meaning Whitehaven had a chance to attack.
From the resulting set Jack Kellett stepped inside to score and with Walker converting Whitehaven led 0-12 on 44 minutes.
Although Sam Grice went close Hunslet kept giving penalties away and with the wind in their faces they managed to force a drop out only for it to go 90 yards to touch handing the initiative to Whitehaven.
On 60 minutes an inside ball to Brad Brennan gave the former Hunslet man a short run to the line and with Walker’s conversion Haven led 0-18 with 20 minutes to go.
At this point Hunslet woke up. 3 minutes later Gaskell put a kick in for Harrsion Gilmore to touch down and with Abram converting it was game on. 6-18
With Whitehaven on the back foot the same move resulted in another try. Gilmore touching down on 67 minutes and Abram converting. 12-18
It was Hunslet’s game to win, and Ant Walker charged towards the line only to be held up.
Whitehaven tried a one pointer, but it was wide and Hunslet came again. A good move to the right saw Gaskell send Charlie Graham in space and the big centre powered over to set up for a draw, however the conversion missed and Hunslet were still 2 points adrift.
A foul on Jordan Baldwinson lifted Hunslet down the field and hearts were in mouths as Charlie Graham again went close only to be held up.
A Hunslet penalty on the hooter set up the shot at goal, but with a strong wind Lee Gaskell went slightly to the right and Whitehaven held on for the win.
It was a frustrating match. Hunslet had enough chances to win but with a completion rate of less than 50% they cannot expect to beat teams who, although are not expansive in their play, do not make mistakes.
Harrison Gilmore won both the ‘Tricks of the Trade’ Sponsors Player of the Match and the Phoenix Bar Supporters Player of the Match for his two tries and all round play, Lee Gaskell and Charlie Graham also played well, but Hunslet know this a match they could have and should have won.
Hunslet travel to Dewsbury next week (2 August) hoping to wrong some rights for the opening day defeat against The Rams.
Hunslet RLFC: Graham, Agoro, Watson, Harrop, Turner, Gaskell, Abram, Baldwinson, Doolan, O’Hanlon, Gilmore, Hey, Battye. Interchange: Berry, Larroyer, Walker, Grice. 18th player: Carr.
Whitehaven RLFC: Newbein, Todd, Holliday, Bickerdike, Weatherall, Ciaran Walker, Kellett, Brennan, Holgate, Brown, Wilson-McQuistan, Pierce, Smith. Interchange: Williamson, Woody Walker, Shackley, Callander.
