Recap
Hunslet got back to winning ways after last week’s defeat at Dewsbury Rams and gained revenge for last season’s embarrassing home defeat to Midlands Hurricanes with an emphatic 48-6 victory at the South Leeds Stadium (16 April 2023).
From the off the Parksiders harried the Hurricanes’ defence, and although the hosts were missing Jimmy Watson, Jake Sweeting and Nathan Newbound it only took 3 minutes for Jack Render to score a fantastic diving try in the corner after good work by Matty Beharrell 4-0.
Beharrell (who returns after a loan spell last season) was the catalyst for most of Hunslet’s attacks, and early on the Parksiders had the momentum which Midlands found hard to cope with.
On 10 minutes Sam Hallas combined with Harvey Hallas who powered over and with Beharrell’s conversion the hosts lead 10-0, then on the 20th minute a Beharrell kick was fielded by Jordan Syme to stretch the lead to 16-0.
Not to say Midlands weren’t fluid in attack, they were but Hunslet’s defence was strong and snuffed out any danger especially from former Parksider Macauley Hallett.
Jack Render and Joe Burton combined on 24 minutes to open the Hurricanes’ defence and Nathan Conroy continued the attack dummying over to score. 22-0
Midlands had now woken up and only a poorly misjudged kick robbed them of what would have been a fantastic try. They also were unlucky when a try was chalked off for a knock-on earlier in the play.
But Hunslet scored the last points of the half with a superb move, as Michael Knowles and Josh Jordan-Roberts combined to send 18 year old Brad Wheeler over for a try making it 28-0 to Hunslet at the break, Matty Beharrell adding his fourth conversion of the half.
It only took Hunslet two minutes of the second half to further stretch their lead as Jordan Syme bagged his second try of the day stepping his way through and reaching out to score 34-0.
Midlands though did then start to up their game, for pride more than with a chance of winning. The Hurricanes looked good with the ball, but they didn’t seem to be able to penetrate the home defence, and although Ryan Johnson made a good break it was Hunslet who added the next points.
On the last tackle Hunslet went for a power play and although Adam Ryder looked wrapped up he released the ball for Jack Render to bob it down in the corner giving Render his second of the day. 38-0
With the result decided the game slackened off, but with a good second half defensive record this season Hunslet wanted to keep a clean sheet, this was not be on 70 minutes as after good pressure Macauley Hallett got one for the Hurricanes with Ben Stead adding the extras. 38-6
Michael Knowles (playing at Stand-off) was instrumental in Hunslet’s attack and received both the sponsors and supporters Man of the Match, but it was a real team performance and the Parksiders had the last laugh as on 74 minutes Adam Ryder powered over from close range before Harvey Hallas did the same (scoring his second try) on 79 minutes.
Former Hunslet man Kieron Moran ended the afternoon in the sin-bin rounding off a bad day at the office for his Midlands teammates.
For Hunslet it was nice to get back to winning ways with Matty Beharrell (who converted 6 from 9) making a big impression and Syme, Render and Harvey Hallas all having excellent games.
In fact it was Hunslet’s pack that dominated and as the season goes on will hopefully lead the Parksiders to victory.
Hunslet’s next league game is on 14 May away at Cornwall but on Saturday 29 April Hunslet will play Drighlington at the South Leeds Stadium in a friendly game for Jimmy Watson’s testimonial season.
Teams
Hunslet RLFC: Joe Burton, Jack Render, Adam Ryder, Brad Wheeler, Alfie Goddard, Mike Knowles, Matthew Beharrell, Harvey Hallas, Nathan Conroy, Steve Crossley, Josh Jordan-Roberts, Jordan Syme, Sam Hallas. Interchanges: Danny Barcoe, Aaron York, Lewis Wray, Jordan Bull. 18th man: Dan McGrath.
Midlands Hurricanes: Nathan Hill, Callum Dunne, Matthew Welham, Macauley Hallett, Elliott Wallis, Ben Stead, Benn Hardcastle, Kieran Moran, Elliott Windley, Sam Bowring, Aaron Willis, Liam Welham, Christopher Cullimore. Interchanges: Ryan Johnson, Matthew Bailey, Jack Dawson, Jacob Beer. 18th man: Adam Reed.
Match Photos courtesy of (Paul Whitehurst)
