Recap
The Hawks took on the Oldham Roughyeds in the clash of the top two on Good Friday. It was too close to call at half time but an outstanding second half sealed the deal for the home side. A 38-12 victory makes it 6 in a row for Eaton’s side and puts them in very high spirits for the Challenge Cup game at Wigan next weekend.
A quick start as the home side registered on the score board almost immediately. Good field position granted by the forwards it was all too easy for playmaker Danny Grimshaw to seize his opportunity, split open the line in familiar fashion and put the ball down between the posts. The Hawks defence faced their first challenge and it was clear the Roughyeds were going to make the Hawks fight for it. They pulled level shortly after but from the stands it looked like they had been given a slice of luck, rewarded a penalty for interference Mo Agoro took advantage of a fragile looking line and crossed the whitewash from a kick to the corner. Oldham went close once more but when Josh Crowley decided against giving the pass he was punished and hauled to the ground by Hawks Luke Stenchion. To the Hawks credit no amount of pressure was going to knock them off form today. Relentless in their attack, it was Brooke Broughton who finally muscled over from short range. Kain was almost across minutes later reacting to Danny Ansell’s grubber kick through ignored by the Oldham fullback as Stuart was unlucky to miss getting his hand to it before it rolled dead. Ansell landed a penalty on 35 minutes to make it 12-6 at the break.
What a way to open the second half for the home side with a try from the kick off, the visitors fullback coughed up possession from the restart and second rower and John Oakes was the first one to it. Picking up the ball he slid over the line for one of his own. But again when the visitors threatened the line they claimed themselves a try Michael Ward this time, the Roughyeds were chasing the tails. It got better from there for Eaton’s side as the Hawks crossed for their fourth courtesy of hooker Tebb who dived over from dummy half. In form Danny Ansell was outstanding for the Hawks a 40-20 relieved them of some pressure however it was the play that followed that got the crowds on their feet as a break from Danny Maun got the ball rolling he kept it alive and it reached Broughton who tapped it out to Liam Mackay who finished it perfectly. The Hunslet outfit added to Oldham’s misery when Jimmy Watson timed his run perfectly and stole the ball from the air to touch it down under plenty of pressure. The centre had stretched the lead and Ansell added the extras to make it 34-12. There was still time left for the Hawks to finish in style, skipper March pounced on a loose ball before giving it to Jamaine Akaidere to finish off. Akaidere has been no stranger from the whitewash since securing a team spot a couple of weeks ago. Barry’s side had fought off a full strength Oldham side convincingly and proved themselves worthy of the top spot.
A break from the league next week as the Hawks travel to the DW Stadium to face the Wigan Warriors in the Challenge Cup a tough ask of the Hunslet Hawks boys but hopefully they can produce the shock result for the second round running.
Hunslet RLFC Line up
1. Stuart Kain
Sponsored by: Beth Hampshire
2. Lee Mapals
Sponsored by: Leeds Bacon Company Ltd
3. Jimmy Watson
4. Danny Maun
Sponsored by: Norty Forty
5. Jamaine Akaidere
Sponsored by: Fletcher Smith Insurance
6. James Coyle
Sponsored by: Yorkshire Signs
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. Danny Grimshaw
14. Matthew Tebb
15. Lewis Reed
16. Aaron Lyons
Sponsored by: Linda Hemingway
17. Liam Mackay
Timeline
00:21 Danny Grimshaw Try
00:21 Danny Ansell Goal
00:32 Brooke Broughton Try
00:32 Danny Ansell Goal
00:41 John Oakes Try
00:56 Danny Ansell Goal
00:56 Matthew Tebb Try
01:03 Liam Mackay Try
01:14 Jimmy Watson Try
01:14 Danny Ansell Goal
01:19 Jamaine Akaidere Try
01:19 Danny Ansell Goal