Recap
Another disappointing second half collapse saw the Hawks miss the opportunity to pick up points at Batley.
Hunslet Hawks travelled to local rivals the Batley Bulldogs needing to put recent defeats to high flying clubs behind them and collect some valuable points as they fend off relegation troubles. Unfortunately it was not to be as and evenly matched shoot out in the first half gave way to the all too familiar pattern as Batley scored three tries in quick succession after half time.
Hunslet opened the scoring after fifteen minutes through Casey. Batley replied twice to take the lead as first Brown went over in the corner on 19 minutes and then Blake scored three minutes later. Hunslet replied to retake the lead on 27 when Lee scored to take the score to 10-12. Another Hunslet try from Watson four minutes later stretched the lead to 10-18.
Batley replied with two tries before half time. First Hesketh ran over from 10 metres out with his first touch of the ball, then Lillycrop burst through to give the Bulldogs a 22-18 lead at the break.
Batley took the decisive lead early in the second half. Three tries in 11 minutes from Brown, Day and Squires gave the Bulldogs a 20 point advantage. Although the Hawks replied on 62 through Yates, Chandler scored for Batley six minutes later to maintain that lead. Hunslet had one more go with Lee scoring a try five minutes from the hooter, but Leatherbarrow, who kicked six goals during the match, finished the scoring by kicking a drop goal on 78 minutes.
Final score: Batley Bulldogs 45-28 Hunslet Hawks
As they go into the last game of the regular season, Hunslet Hawks have sunk to 11th in the Kingstone Press Championship with 10 points from their 22 games. Next week the Hawks face Workington Town, who beat the London Broncos today.
Hunslet will need a good result to take some confidence into the Super 8s to ensure they remain playing in the Championship next season.
Hunslet Hawks: Watson, Agoro, Maun, Gee, Barnett, Brown, Kain, Yates, Lee, Haley, Casey, Mackay, Mulherne Interchange: Flanagan, Castle, Grimshaw, Trout
Batley Bulldogs: Campbell, Reittie, Ainscough, Squires, Brown, Southernwood, Leatherbarrow, Hirst, Blake, Rowe, Day, Scott, Chandler Interchange: Nicholson, Hesketh, Lillycrop, Brown
Hunslet RLFC Line up
1. Jimmy Watson
2. Mo Agoro
Sponsored by: Josh Hampshire
3. Danny Maun
Sponsored by: Norty Forty
4. Matty Gee
Sponsored by: Available Call 0113 2712730
5. Richie Barnett
Sponsored by: Iris Crummack from the GMB
6. Simon Brown
Sponsored by: Garden Gate Ultras
7. Andy Kain
Sponsored by: Fred & Jane Hopkins
8. Andrew Yates
Sponsored by: Village Urban Resorts South Leeds
9. Jack Lee
10. Michael Haley
11. Callum Casey
Sponsored by: James and Lucy Hoyland
12. Liam Mackay
13. Rob Mulhern
Sponsored by: J Kellett Foods Ltd
14. George Flanagan
15. Mark Castle
Sponsored by: A & R Construction
16. Danny Grimshaw
17. Kyle Trout
Sponsored by: M A Clarke & Son Memorial Masons
Timeline
00:15 Callum Casey Try
00:15 Simon Brown Goal
00:27 Jack Lee Try
00:27 Simon Brown Goal
00:31 Jimmy Watson Try
00:31 Simon Brown Goal
01:02 Andrew Yates Try
01:02 Simon Brown Goal
01:15 Jack Lee Try