Recap
The Hunslet Hawks’ ‘Great Escape’ is still on after they defeated Doncaster 25-16 at South Leeds Stadium this afternoon (6 September 2015) to keep alive their hopes of escaping relegation as the Kingstone Championship Shield Super 8s reached week five.
This should have been a comfortable win for Hunslet, but Doncaster fought to the end and pushed the Hawks close. Doncaster are already relegated but their only win of the season came against Hunslet on 12 July. Perhaps this gave Doncaster confidence and made Hunslet nervous.
Doncaster kicked off and both teams engaged in an extended arm wrestle as they exchanged sets back and forth. The deadlock was broken by James Houston on 17 minutes after Doncaster conceded two penalties, first on their 40 and then Hunslet took a tap on the 10m line. Simon Brown kicked the conversion and Hunslet were up 6-0.
The Hawks scored again on 24 minutes when Danny Ansell went over after a good break by George Flanagan. Brown again kicked the extras: Hunslet 12-0 up.
Doncaster came straight back to put Hunslet under pressure and Musolino got over the line but was held up by the Hawks defence. James Duckworth then broke down the pitch to Doncaster’s 30m line. Flanagan almost scored from the penalty, but knocked on over the line.
Doncaster scored on the stroke of half time with Hodson finishing off the move, Scott’s kick missed so the score at half time was Hunslet 12-4 Doncaster.
Doncaster were unable to build on their momentum and five minutes into the second half Hunslet extended their lead when Mark Castle powered over. Simon Brown again kicked the conversion and the Hawks led 18-4.
Castle almost repeated the score seven minutes later, but stout defending from Doncaster kept him out. Doncaster put the pressure on with some good kicking and capitalised when Verlinden scored on 59 minutes. Scott kicked the conversion and with twenty minutes to go the score was 18-10.
The Hawks responded immediately as they went down the pitch and Jack Lee went over for the try. Simon Brown hit the post with his kick leaving the score at 22-10.
Four minutes later Doncaster were back on the board as Richard Wilkinson went over under the posts. Scott converted the try, 22-16 with eleven minutes to go.
Doncaster tried to maintain the pressure, but Spiers was held up and then Hunslet intercepted and broke out. The move eventually resulted in a Simon Brown drop goal taking the score to 23-16.
Doncaster thought they had scored again on 76 minutes, but Musolino was adjudged to have knocked on. Then with a minute to go Doncaster’s Kesik was sent off and Simon Brown kicked the penalty to seal the victory for Hunslet.
Final score: Hunslet Hawks 25-16 Doncaster
With a third win on the bounce Hunslet now have 16 points, whilst Batley and Whitehaven have 18 points. Next week Hunslet will entertain Featherstone Rovers who lost a top of the table clash to Dewsbury this week and the Hawks final game of the season will be away at Batley Bulldogs.
Teams:
Hunslet Hawks: Watson, Agoro, Duckworth, Maun, Barnett, Brown, Ansell, Houston, Lee, Lyons, Backhouse, Gee, Trout. Interchange: Flanagan, Reed, Castle, Brennan.
Doncaster: Scott, Hodson, Doherty, Welham, Fox, McLocklan, Wilkinson, Groat, Kesik, Spiers, Musolino, Foster, Kelly. Interchange: Carr, Verlinden, Carbutt, Walton.
Hunslet RLFC Line up
1. Jimmy Watson
2. Mo Agoro
Sponsored by: Josh Hampshire
3. James Duckworth
4. Danny Maun
Sponsored by: Norty Forty
5. Richie Barnett
Sponsored by: Iris Crummack from the GMB
6. Simon Brown
Sponsored by: Garden Gate Ultras
7. Danny Ansell
8. James Houston
Sponsored by: Stephen Bower Bespoke Joinery
9. Jack Lee
10. Aaron Lyons
Sponsored by: Linda Hemingway
11. Ryan Backhouse
Sponsored by: Adrian Jinks
12. Matty Gee
Sponsored by: Available Call 0113 2712730
13. Kyle Trout
Sponsored by: M A Clarke & Son Memorial Masons
14. George Flanagan
15. Lewis Reed
16. Mark Castle
Sponsored by: A & R Construction
17. Brad Brennan
Sponsored by: Liversidge Plant Hire
Timeline
00:17 James Houston Try
00:18 Simon Brown Goal
00:24 Danny Ansell Try
00:25 Simon Brown Goal
00:46 Mark Castle Try
00:47 Simon Brown Goal
01:00 Jack Lee Try
01:11 Simon Brown Drop goal
01:19 Simon Brown Goal