Recap
This weekend we travelled to Mount Pleasant for a third fixture against the Batley Bulldogs with them currently standing 5th in the table it was going to be a difficult game but also a good chance, halfway through the season, to show improvements.
From the opening sets it looked as though the Hawks were beginning to struggle although the defence had looked promising today the initial hits had been good and effective in most situations. The speed of halfbacks captured the Hawks off guard and standoff Ben Black managed to cross the line twice in the opening ten minutes both converted they stole a 12-0 lead. The attacking style from Hunslet was much more inventive than had been in recent weeks, involving wingers Tuffour and Kainy earlier on in the set was proving useful in gaining essential ground, although the execution of plays was not quite there yet, and the Hawks hadn’t managed to score this half. Luckily the defence had also picked up the Bulldogs had been held up and bundled into touch which had impressed the fans also seemed to have boosted confidence within the side. There good work was not rewarded though as some confusing decisions from the referee had meant they were under pressure before halftime Gareth Moore wasted no time and from a penalty tap and slid over the line for the 4 points. Shortly followed by another quick try the score had reached 22-0 by the break. The score line at this point didn’t really reflect the much more grouped performance we had seen this afternoon. Hopefully a try early in the second half would get things started for the Hunslet outfit.
After a high scoring first half the Hawks would have been hoping to minimise the Batley attacking advantage but they trailed further as Alex Brown broke through the line and touched down in the corner followed closely by Black scoring his hat-trick the Bulldogs managed to open up a 34-0 lead. The Hawks conceded another two tries to Jason Walton and it looked as if the damage had already been done. Despite the Bulldogs being dominant for much of the 2nd half Hunslet seemed confident that they could graft their way back into the contest. Elliot Hodgson tried desperately hard to keep the ball alive, he gave a superb pass to forward Yatesy who wrestled his way over the line easing the pressure from his side, Helliwell rushed to convert the try eager to get back into play. The boys had really woken up and when a penalty for offside went there way they remained collective, Joe Mc stepped his way past 3 defenders he got a pass out wide and the ball crossed the whitewash courtesy of Tommy Haughey. At 52-10 the Hawks struggled to remain upbeat, a direct replica of the final first half try saw Alex Brown score his second and win the game for the Bulldogs.
A final score of 56-10 seemed disappointing especially with the Northern Rail Quarters around the corner. The boys had worked on many aspects of their game but the speed and strength Batley had shown today had won them the game. Defence was seemingly a point that needed looking over, with less than a week to recover the side would have to be prepared for a big game against the Eagles. Hopefully things will improve for the later stages of this season.
Well done to Barry and the boys
Niamh
Hunslet RLFC Line up
5. Dennis Tuffour
Sponsored by: Kenny Sykes
4. Steve Lewis
Sponsored by: Leeds Bacon Company Ltd
3. Lee Brickwood
Sponsored by: Eric Simon
1. Elliot Hodgson
Sponsored by: Villa Soft Drinks
2. Stuart Kain
Sponsored by: Beth Hampshire
6. Joe Mclocklan
Sponsored by: Yorkshire Signs
7. Aaron Dobek
Sponsored by: Available call 0113 2712730
8. Luke Menzies
Sponsored by: Fred & Jane Hopkins
9. Luke Haigh
Sponsored by: Elliott & Ewan Green
10. Ryan Benjafield
Sponsored by: Eric Simon
11. Tommy Haughey
Sponsored by: Dawn Caley
12. John Oakes
Sponsored by: Leeds Bacon Company Ltd
13. David March
Sponsored by: A & R Construction
14. Luke Helliwell
Sponsored by: Jewson, Leeds
15. Richard Blakeway
Sponsored by: LOVERUGBYLEAGUE.COM
16. Anthony Henderson
Sponsored by: Available Call 0113 2712730
17. Andrew Yates
Sponsored by: Village Urban Resorts South Leeds
Timeline
68:12 Andrew Yates Try
69:02 Luke Helliwell Goal
71:25 Tommy Haughey Try