Hunslet ready for first final in ten years

Hunslet Coach Dean Muir and his staff have prepared their squad for the Club’s first major final in 10 years this Sunday (Oct 6^th at Keighley Cougars).

Still bouncing after last week’s semi-final victory at Rochdale the Parksiders know they will not be favourites on Sunday, but having already won this season at Cougar Park the home side would be unwise to underestimate Hunslet.

“The win at Rochdale was deserved.” said Muir “We played well, but I still feel we can play better. You don’t win anything for winning a semi-final. It’s a final, make sure you have no regrets, give everything, focus on our performance and that’s all I can ask.”

“Keighley are a good side and finished 2^nd in the league. They will be bang up for it. The home crowd will be loud, but our travelling fans were excellent at Rochdale, and we need them again this week. Jake’s team will look to play a clinical style. They have some talent, and we mustn’t give them time and space to play. Although they have some talented individuals they play well as a team. But in the end if we go about our business and focus on ourselves, we can deal with their threats.”

As for team selection Muir is not giving anything away.

“It’s difficult to change a winning team, but some players are knocking on the door. Some lads will miss out and be disappointed, and we must deal with that. The squad, not just the first 17 have got us where we are today.”

Two players coming in for special mentions are Ethan Wood and Mackenzie Turner. Both joined late in the season and were instrumental in the victory at Rochdale (Both scoring tries).

“Ethan Wood is class” said Muir “He’s fitted in with the group well, whilst I thought Mackenzie had his best game for us last Sunday. The more they play the better they get as the fans are beginning to appreciate.”

Dean Muir and his team can be proud of their achievements this season getting Hunslet to the play-off final, but can they go one step further? The travelling Hunslet faithful certainly hope so and should be there in numbers to support The Parksiders.