Recap
After a week off the Hawks were back in action this Sunday with an exciting fixture against the Hemel Stags. The visitors have been on an impressive run in the league showing much improved form since we met them at the beginning of the season. The Hawks battled to pull off a 26-6 victory at the South Leeds and did enough to ensure they had another win under their belts.
Less than 5 minutes on the clock when second rower Oakes went crashing over the line throwing off defenders in his way he crossed the whitewash for his first. Danny Ansell was running things from the standoff position his kicks causing all sorts of problems for Hemel. A neat chip deep into the left corner came free from the hands off James Hill and Hawks, Akaidere was on hand to tidy it up picking up the ball and touching it over the line to make it 10-0. The home side were making the most of the possession and Ansell again got his boot to it early in the set which landed perfectly in the hands off Broughton. Brooke turned out of a tackle and passed it on to Watson under pressure from oncoming defence Jimmy just couldn’t gather it in. The visitors were making things easier for the Hawks coming up with a number of errors but were relieved when the Hunslet side failed to capitalise. Ignoring the advice to keep the ball safe a knock on under the posts was unfortunate but denied the Hawks another try and Liam Mackay spilt possession just metres from their own line. A change in the forwards as Michael Haley and Andy Yates (who joined us on dual registration) came onto the pitch and saw the home side spirits lifted. The pair got through hard work down the middle of the field. A quick restart from Mackay and a short pass to Grimshaw allowed the loose forward to back himself in a bid for the line with an attempt from Broughton closely following. The ball swept to the opposite side, down the line, finally reaching Oakes who powered through once again to steal his second before the break.
At 14-0 the game was far from over and the Hemel side came looking for a fight in the second half. That didn’t stop Hawks Liam Mackay leaving the defence wandering as he sped past them and over the line to score early doors. Ansell landed the conversion to make it 20-0. 10 minutes of convincing pressure on the line told when Jy-Mel Coleman was on the end of a perfectly timed inside ball that found him over the line for the Stags. Hawks prop Houston was forced from the field with a suspected head injury in a collision following the try. The defence was brilliant into the late stages of the second half as the visitors benefited from being on the right side of a lot of penalties Luke Stenchion was influential in stopping Hemel from breaking through, Jimmy Watson was similarly left to make a try saving tackle for his team under the posts. The home side had shown strength to keep them out and were rewarded when Ansell sent up another kick to create the final try for Kain who gathered it and put it over to make it 26-6. With the game all but over another blow for Barry’s side when Michael Haley left the field looking in a bad way with a serious looking arm injury. Into the final quarter the match became heated as tempers flared which started as Ansell attempted to get to his feet and play the ball. Both sides had a yellow card handed to them as the game ended with several punches thrown.
A tough, scrappy 26-6 win today but the boys had kept the lead for the whole game and the defence had been impressive. Another rest next week before a home game against the Gloucester All Golds.
Hunslet RLFC Line up
1. Stuart Kain
Sponsored by: Beth Hampshire
2. Jamaine Akaidere
Sponsored by: Fletcher Smith Insurance
3. Danny Maun
Sponsored by: Norty Forty
4. Jimmy Watson
5. Lee Brickwood
Sponsored by: Eric Simon
6. Danny Grimshaw
7. Danny Ansell
8. James Houston
Sponsored by: Stephen Bower Bespoke Joinery
9. David March
Sponsored by: A & R Construction
10. Luke Stenchion
Sponsored by: J Mulkeen & Co Builders Ltd
11. Brooke Broughton
12. John Oakes
Sponsored by: Leeds Bacon Company Ltd
13. Liam Mackay
14. Michael Haley
15. Andrew Yates
Sponsored by: Village Urban Resorts South Leeds
16. Liam Hood
Sponsored by: Colin & Kath Smith
17. Aston Wilson
Timeline
00:02 John Oakes Try
00:02 Danny Ansell Goal
00:08 Jamaine Akaidere Try
00:34 John Oakes Try
00:43 Liam Mackay Try
00:43 Danny Ansell Goal
01:01 Stuart Kain Try
01:01 Danny Ansell Goal