Recap
It was a great afternoon at the South Leeds Stadium as the Hunslet Hawks sailed into the next round of the Challenge Cup with a massive 68-6 win over Oxford. After last week’s disappointing run out in the league a good result was vital.
Liam Hood gave the Hawks the dream start, burrowing over the line from dummy half. Brooke Broughton had set it up but was hauled to the ground just an arm’s length away. The boys increased the lead further as Danny Maun finished off from Ballard who gave him an inside ball on 7 minutes. Broughton powered over himself on the end of a first rate Grimshaw pass putting the Hawks 16 points clear. The hosts ran riot for the rest of the first half racking up the points the defence was also praise worthy. Michael Haley punishing the Oxford players, made it all too easy for his side to muscle over once again. Matthew Tebb appeared off the bench and shrugging off tackles he scored from close range, Andy Ballard kicked an expert conversion to make it 22- 0 after 20 minutes the Hawks were into the swing off it. Skipper David March scored two tries shortly after. Tearing through the visitors defence his clever footwork caught the Oxford players napping. George Clarke was outstanding in the forwards today getting through a lot of work he carried the ball well and showed what he had to offer this season. Danny Maun was happy to race over and touchdown for his second. shortly followed by Lewis Reed who bounced off defenders and crashed over under the sticks. Mapals managed to get his name on the board scoring the ninth try of the game on 40 minutes finishing off a team move that travelled across the field. Ballard added the extras missing only one from nine in the first half the home side left for the break 52-0 in front.
The visitors were pushing to come out to compete in the second half asking questions of Eaton’s side on the line but the Oxford pack were error strewn and a knock on left them defending once again. The Hawks responded immediately with a try, Tommy Coyle putting himself into a gap the home side had a firm grip of the game since the off. Oxford could not get their hands on the ball and were left kicking a drop out when Ballard put the ball up to turn it over but a massive tackle from Jimmy Watson on the visitors full back awarded Hunslet back the possession. Luke Stenchion was the first to pounce on a loose ball in the next play and stride over making it 64-0. The Oxford side didn’t look like they could get back into the game at this point but their persistence did salvage them from going away being nilled. Playing on a spell of ill-discipline from the home side, Oxfords Alex Thompson crossed, and Jimmy Rowland converted putting points of their own on the board. The glimmer of something special for Oxford did not stop there when Rowland chipped the ball over the top of the home side on the free play he was unlucky not to have gathered it in and go all the way. The visitors were well beaten when Mapals broke through for his glorious second try of the afternoon, but the Hawks continued to punch holes in the defence and Watson almost crossed for one of his own that the fullback would have deserved after his encouraging display on the field today. The ball came free in the tackle and when the final whistle blew Hunslet had soared into the next round with a 68-6 defeat of Oxford.
Today’s game will have given the Hawks the confidence they need to hopefully go on and continue winning in the league. We face Oxford again next week; hope to see you all there.
Hunslet RLFC Line up
1. Jimmy Watson
2. Lee Mapals
Sponsored by: Leeds Bacon Company Ltd
3. Aston Wilson
4. Danny Maun
Sponsored by: Norty Forty
5. Andrew Ballard
Sponsored by: Barry & Norma Harding
6. Danny Grimshaw
7. Thomas Coyle
Sponsored by: Yorkshire Signs
8. Michael Haley
9. Liam Hood
Sponsored by: Colin & Kath Smith
10. Luke Stenchion
Sponsored by: J Mulkeen & Co Builders Ltd
11. John Oakes
Sponsored by: Leeds Bacon Company Ltd
12. Brooke Broughton
13. David March
Sponsored by: A & R Construction
14. Matthew Tebb
15. George Clarke
Sponsored by: Bartercard
16. Lewis Reed
17. James Davies
Sponsored by: Elliott & Ewan Green
Timeline
00:03 Liam Hood Try
00:03 Andrew Ballard Goal
00:08 Danny Maun Try
00:11 Brooke Broughton Try
00:11 Andrew Ballard Goal
00:27 Andrew Ballard Goal
00:27 Matthew Tebb Try
00:30 David March Try
00:30 Andrew Ballard Goal
00:32 David March Try
00:32 Andrew Ballard Goal
00:34 Danny Maun Try
00:38 Lewis Reed Try
00:38 Andrew Ballard Goal
00:40 Lee Mapals Try
00:40 Andrew Ballard Goal
00:59 Andrew Ballard Goal
00:59 Thomas Coyle Try
01:04 Luke Stenchion Try
01:04 Andrew Ballard Goal
01:12 Lee Mapals Try
01:12 Andrew Ballard Goal