Recap
The first game of the season had finally arrived. The Hawks hoped to get off to a flying start with a fixture against recently promoted Barrow Raiders. After spending a year in Championship one the visitors will be hoping to get some good results under their belt and prove worthy of their place in the competition. Hunslet looked brilliant on paper, with a strong side set to appear boosted by the arrival of Jimmy Keinhorst and Liam Hood today was going to be one to watch!
From kick off the Hawks were proving dominant, running perfect lines and showing potential to score off every set. Grimshaw’s willingness to take on the defence paid off in the first couple of minutes he set Oakesy up into the gap, but hung around waiting for the offload, and was more than happy to slide over when the pass came his way.5 minutes on the clock and points already on the board. The Hawks, inspired by Luke Helliwell’s deep kicks, were defending brilliantly keeping the Raiders under pressure and stuck in their own half. Welham and Houston appeared perfectly drilled hammering the Raiders from marker, as well as forcing some of the errors they rewarded their side with even more possession. The ball was turned over in front of the sticks and it was left to Menzies to get things started; a good offload to Grimshaw who popped it out to big second rower Tommy Haughey he faced a wrestle with the 2 outside defenders but the second rower finally forced his way across for the Hawks second. The home side had grabbed themselves an early lead but scoring alone wasn’t enough for the boys they were determined to prove that they had made vital improvements on last season and were completing almost every set, whilst the likes of Luke Haigh used his speed to burrow into gaps in the Barrow line and Stuart Kain who handled the high ball with ease impressed the supporters. The energetic start didn’t cool, even late into the first half and the boys were still on top form and were soon back looking for more points, a nice delayed pass from Danny to Welham but as Liam stretched out to touch it down the whistle blew for double movement, unfortunate but the effort was incredible. Barrow battled to break the line, but Welham had no such problem dancing through the defenders he managed to get the Hawks into position for try number 3. This time it was a real forwards try with a ball straight from the play for big Steve Lewis to charge onto. 4 more points before the break 14-0 didn’t even reflect how well the Hunslet boys had performed this first 40 minutes!
The fans hoped for much of the same excitement and wondered if they could keep up this hard work? Scrum half Helliwell ‘got the ball rolling’ as he managed to force his boot on to a ball that the Raiders had spilled, reacting to his own kick he crossed in monumental style his first of the afternoon. Despite 50 minutes of the Hawks being in total control, the visitors grabbed their lifeline and after 3 sets of defending the Raiders took full advantage of an unsuspecting Hawks side. A quick try from Kurt Haggerty as the second rower burst through latching onto an inside pass; try converted. Another 6 points followed, Barrow again creating good momentum and attacked the Hawks on the back of a penalty, this time Adam Clay crossed in the corner the Raiders were in a comfortable position with 12 points. Skipper Marchy knew what he had to do and wasn’t prepared to let the game get away from his side that easily. He lead the pack from the front, as he always does, some fine handling finished off with a tidy grubber he granted David Clayton a try under the posts. Minutes later a superb midfield break from Jimmy Keinhorst sent Grimshaw, who returned to the field after a niggle with his knee, flying over the whitewash. The Raiders struggled to match the enthusiasm of the side and were left on the back foot when Prycey and Yatesy pushed the ball down the field. The game was all but finished, but Jimmy Keinhorst reflected just what a game it had been as 5 minutes before the hooter blew he risked it with an interception on the Barrow line the German international sprinted the full length shaking off the Barrow fullback and placing the ball down for his second! Marchy put the conversion away and upped the score to 42-12.
Today’s game had been a made a real impression on the fans of just how well the Hawks can play and hopefully what a success 2013 could be for us! It was a strong result and a brilliant team effort. This score will definitely install some confidence into the boys before a big game against the Leigh Centurions next week.
Well done Barry and the boys
Niamh Wilson.
Hunslet RLFC Line up
1. Stuart Kain
Sponsored by: Beth Hampshire
2. Waine Pryce
Sponsored by: Yorkshire Signs
3. Jimmy Keinhorst
Sponsored by: In memory of John Hodgson
4. Liam Welham
Sponsored by: Adrian Jinks
5. Lee Brickwood
Sponsored by: Eric Simon
6. Danny Grimshaw
7. Luke Helliwell
Sponsored by: Jewson, Leeds
8. Luke Menzies
Sponsored by: Fred & Jane Hopkins
9. Luke Haigh
Sponsored by: Elliott & Ewan Green
10. James Houston
Sponsored by: Stephen Bower Bespoke Joinery
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. Liam Hood
Sponsored by: Colin & Kath Smith
15. David Clayton
Sponsored by: Barry & Norma Harding
16. Andrew Yates
Sponsored by: Village Urban Resorts South Leeds
17. Steve Lewis
Sponsored by: Leeds Bacon Company Ltd
Timeline
00:10 Danny Grimshaw Try
00:30 Tommy Haughey Try
00:37 Steve Lewis Try
00:38 Luke Helliwell Goal
00:44 Luke Helliwell Try
00:44 Luke Helliwell Goal
00:52 Jimmy Keinhorst Try
00:67 David Clayton Try
00:67 David March Goal
00:73 Danny Grimshaw Try
00:73 David March Goal
00:78 Jimmy Keinhorst Try
00:78 David March Goal