Recap
The Hunslet Hawks almost caused the shock of the weekend as they competed until the dying minutes with the Leigh Centurions. The home side were right in the arm wrestle but difficult weather conditions caused problems and the visitors took the win, but for the Hawks to come away with a bonus point from a top 4 team was a tremendous effort.
A couple of changes mainly positional this week and some new faces in the mix for Barry Eaton’s side but it seemed to all be working well. They looked committed to this one and managed to match a physically strong Leigh side for 28 minutes, plenty of opportunities but neither outfit breaking the line to get across the whitewash. Skipper March was exciting at dummy half and fullback Kain slotting into the line was a constant nuisance for the Leigh side almost burrowing over for one of his own but it was the Lancashire side that put an end to the safe play on the 30 minute mark. A clean break down field before a pass to Andrew Thornley to put it down the Centurions converting that one. The Hawks looked set to pull it back a neat inside ball to Haughey on the line bounced free and the opportunity missed. 5 minutes left on the clock the home side came knocking once more. Paul McShane who made his first appearance in Hawks colours this afternoon kicked a blinding 40-20 and got his side into a great attacking position. A ball ripped from the hands of Mathew Tebb granted another penalty infront of the posts. Tebb with a perfectly timed ball to Brickwood just one play later and he was over fresh for the bench. McShane taking over kicking duties added the extra’s, 6-6 and back level at South Leeds. Up to the break there was nothing separating the sides but the Centurions Maden crossing for a try on 40 minutes gave them the advantage for half time, disappointing from a capable defending situation.
Leigh struck first in the 2nd half opening things with a messy try in the corner as Kain attempted to get himself out of danger the ball was spilled and into the hands of Pownall who slid over. A penalty shortly after put the Centurions 2 converted tries infront. A difficult ask but the Hawks had plenty of confidence today and were determined to prove they could do it. Risky play in centre field as Coyle dummied the kick before breaking through the defenders to offload it to Yates who got it away to Clough but he just couldn’t take it cleanly. McShane’s kicking game was on the money this afternoon and a chip over to the corner for Mapals to steal it out of the air and touch down the boys were back into it and chasing the lead victory. The Hawks who were already plagued with injury were disappointed to see Jake Normington leave the field with a cheekbone injury. The conditions meant for scrappy play neither side controlling the ball and finding it difficult to get out of their own half. The Hawks paying the price as they trailed by 6. Handling errors from the Hunslet outfit made it too easy for Leigh to keep the Hawks at bay. Credit must be given to the Hawks who battled to keep the Centurions away from the whitewash despite suffering a 10 minute spell of back to back defending. The visitors must have been relieved when Ryan Brierley dropped a goal minutes before the end as it looked Barry’s side could have caused problems in the attack both Pryce and Keinhorst with half breaks. The Hawks maintained composure until the end and things finished up at 12-19 as the final hooter sounded.
A big game for the Hunslet side this afternoon and the display didn’t disappoint to get the win would have been ideal and in parts looked possible but picking up another bonus point from inform recent Northern Rail Cup winners Leigh was definitely just rewards. Another crucial game next week away to at the Dewsbury Rams hopefully a win at long last. Hope to see you all there.
Hunslet RLFC Line up
1. Stuart Kain
Sponsored by: Beth Hampshire
2. Waine Pryce
Sponsored by: Yorkshire Signs
3. Jake Normington
Sponsored by: Available Call 0113 2712730
4. Jimmy Keinhorst
Sponsored by: In memory of John Hodgson
5. Lee Mapals
Sponsored by: Leeds Bacon Company Ltd
6. David March
Sponsored by: A & R Construction
7. James Coyle
Sponsored by: Yorkshire Signs
8. Andrew Yates
Sponsored by: Village Urban Resorts South Leeds
9. Paul McShane
Sponsored by: Available Call 0113 2712730
10. James Houston
Sponsored by: Stephen Bower Bespoke Joinery
11. Tommy Haughey
Sponsored by: Dawn Caley
12. John Oakes
Sponsored by: Leeds Bacon Company Ltd
13. Chris Clough
Sponsored by: Heineken
14. Matthew Tebb
15. Luke Menzies
Sponsored by: Fred & Jane Hopkins
16. Liam Welham
Sponsored by: Adrian Jinks
17. Lee Brickwood
Sponsored by: Eric Simon
Timeline
00:36 Lee Brickwood Try
00:37 Paul McShane Goal
01:16 Lee Mapals Try
01:17 Paul McShane Goal