Recap
Hunslet recorded their first win of the Championship season and their first win in sixteen attempts against Batley Bulldogs at the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium (18 April 2025).
The Parksiders have shown glimpses of what they can do, but a mixture of injuries and players coming in and out of the squad meant they haven’t jelled until this afternoon where in exciting style they hung on for a 4 point victory over an experienced Batley side.
The notorious Mount Pleasant slope always plays a part in the game, and Batley chose to attack uphill in the first half. Early on a Batley break was thwarted by a Jimmy Watson tackle to stem what would have been a terrible start for Hunslet.
With ball though Hunslet were sharp. Lee Gaskell on his second outing looked a class acquisition, putting a kick through for Billy Jowitt to follow up and score on only 2 minutes. Four minutes later a Gaskell cut-out pass saw Jowitt break again, the centre stepped inside and with confidence beat the Batley defence and stretched out to score. Converting both his own tries Jowitt put Hunslet 0-12 up.
So far so good for The Parksiders. But a mistake in their own 25 handed Batley the ball and momentum. Hunslet defended well, but a penalty meant more pressure and after a knock-down Batley attacked to the right from the scrum and former Hunslet favourite Jack Render dived over in the corner. 4-12
Batley got on an uphill roll, and after a Myers/Render break Robbie Butterworth went over to score. Josh Woods converting. 10-12 on only 16 minutes.
With that good start wiped out Hunslet needed to be on the attack. On 20 minutes Gaskell again found space on the left, with Batley retreating Lachy Hanneghan dummied and went into a gap to score. 10-18 with Jowitt converting.
Gaskell kept the pressure on and tried a clever reverse kick, Hanneghan followed up and was unlucky not to score. However on 26 minutes the big stand-off saw a chance and kicked on the second tackle, this time Aaron Levy got their first and Hunslet led 10-22 (Jowitt’s kick unluckily hitting the post).
The game then settled for a period into an arm wrestle, but although Batley were attacking on the half-time hooter, it was Hunslet who led at the break 10-22.
Although leading by 12 points, Hunslet knew that with Batley coming down the slope in the second half that lead may not be enough. Mistakes needed to be cut out and defence needed to be strong.
Early on Batley put pressure on the Hunslet line, but with Harrison Gilmore and Ethan O’Hanlon running well Batley were being pegged back.
On 47 minutes a Batley move to the left was anticipated by Coby Nichol who intercepted to start a long sprint up the hill. Batley’s defence caught up, but Nichol fended off the defence to score a 90 yard stunner. Jowitt converted 10-28.
Now Hunslet had a lead to defend, but after a spilt ball former Hunslet man Joe Burton scored in the corner on 56 minutes 14-28.
Hunslet had their chances as Harrison Gilmore went close, but also had to do last ditch defending. Keelan Foster saving a try.
Kevin Larroyer had to leave the field after an injury taking some sting out of Hunslet.
On 70 minutes Batley narrowed the lead when Alistair Leak nipped over from acting half back on the last tackle, before again on the last tackle 3 minutes later Elliot Kear scored to the right. 24-28
We were in for a tight finish. Ethan O’Hanlon ran well to clear the lines and Lee Gaskell’s kicking pegged Batley back, but again the game was held up when Jack Render had to be treated for a neck injury.
Who would have the nerve? Batley attacked and a kick caused chaos. It didn’t look like it touched a Hunslet man but the referee gave Batley the advantage and with some last ditch defending Hunslet saw Batley knock-on and held out for the victory.
On the hooter the Hunslet fans celebrated like they had won the cup. This may only be victory number one, but surely now the confidence will lead to more wins for The Parksiders.
Gaskell and Hanneghan were inspired at halfback whilst Jowitt and Nichol were a constant threat. Gilmore and O’Hanlon also stood out for Hunslet, but in the end all 17 players played their part.
Hunslet have a week off now before entertaining Widnes on Sunday 4 May at the South Leeds Stadium