Recap
Hunslet can count themselves unlucky to be not coming away with the two points after a close and entertaining game at the Millennium Stadium Featherstone.
The Parksiders’ Lee Gaskell put a kick into the corner in the dying moments of the game. Rovers winger Darrell Olpherts misjudged the bounce and Ryan Westerman grasped for the ball, but although Hunslet picked up and looked to be scoring the referee adjudged Westerman touched the ball and a knock-on was given.
After losing 4-54 last time out to Oldham, Hunslet needed to put in a good performance, but after 12 minutes and trailing 12-0 it looked like another lacklustre display.
Penalties conceded and mishandling meant Featherstone could contain Hunslet close to their line. Using their possession Featherstone sent Darrell Olpherts over twice on 5 and 12 minutes, both being converted by Ben Reynolds. 12-0
The change in fortune came from a good set and a Lee Gaskell kick that was fumbled by Olpherts. Keelan Foster challenged the line, but Featherstone held out. Showing why they have been a top Championship side for many years.
However on 22 minutes an ex-player came back to haunt them. A Gaskell kick early in the set was followed up and a loose scramble on the floor was kicked on by Hunslet. Former Rovers man Greg Eden picked up and scampered under the posts. Billy Jowitt converting. 12-6
Hunslet attacked again, and when Featherstone failed to find touch from a penalty, Brad Clavering released a great ball for Billy Jowitt to score. Converting his own try, it was 12-12 on 26 minutes.
Lachlan Hanneghan and Lee Gaskell were running the game well for Hunslet, but The Parksiders were lucky to stay level after Featherstone bombed two tries (a knock-on and forward pass respectively) after a 40/20 had piggy backed Rovers up the field.
After Lachy Hanneghan had gone close, Hunslet were awarded a penalty with minutes remaining in the half. Billy Jowitt’s kick was short and Featherstone had a chance to attack, but again poor handling let them down and we went into the break all square at 12-12.
With Hanneghan having a head injury attended to, Hunslet had to switch round a bit at the start of the second half. Greg Eden, now at full-back, found a gap and was unlucky not to find a team mate. Moments later Brett Bailey put a hit in heard from as far away as Castleford.
But on 45 minutes an inside ball sent James Glover through for Featherstone and tired tackling couldn’t stop him scoring. 18-12
Hunslet were on the back foot for a while, but soon momentum swung again, and another Eden run from deep set Ryan Westerman off down the wing. Leaving the winger for dead he tried to take on the full-back and the chance was gone.
On 53 minutes Featherstone were awarded a penalty and chose to take the 2 points as Ben Reynolds (on form with the boot) slotted calmly to make it an 8 point gap. 20-12
Hunslet would not go away though, and on 56 minutes after a set re-start Westerman turned provider for Greg Eden to get his second of the day. Jowitt converting 20-18.
The game swung from side to side. Gaskell’s kicking was inspirational, but Hunslet were penalised for silly mistakes. Injuries to Eden and Larroyer meant Hunslet had to re-jig the team and on 66 minutes Featherstone took advantage when Jimmy Beckett sliced through tackles to score. Reynolds converting 26-18.
It was now or never for Hunslet and with Gaskell’s boot Featherstone were being pegged back. Westerman and Jowitt went close. But on 74 minutes Lee Gaskell and Kobe Rugless combined to send Jowitt over, who converted to make it 28-26.
Although Hunslet spent some of the last moments close to their line, the last gasp kick could have won it for the Parksiders. But it was not to be.
This game was probably one of Hunslet’s finest this season. Gaskell and Hanneghan were outstanding, as was Rugless and Jowitt (who ended with a 16 point haul).
Hallas and Foster ran strongly and Mason Corbett was lively after coming in from Bradford Bulls.
Losing Greg Eden to injury may have been a big factor in the final result, but if Hunslet go into the next two games (at home to Barrow and London Broncos) with this attitude they may chalk up some much needed victories.
Hunslet RLFC: Jowitt, Nichol, Welham, Westerman, Eden, Hanneghan, Gaskell, Foster, Corbett, Clavering, Wood, Kirby, Rugless. Interchanges: Berry, Hallas, Larroyer, Bailey. 18th player: Fletcher.
Featherstone Rovers: Aekins, Olpherts, Gale, Glover, Wynne, Reynolds, Hampshire, Vuniyayawa, Jubb, Beckett, Day, Webb, Addy. Interchanges: Turner, Hardcastle, Wilde, Springer.
Photo: Craig Irvine
