Recap
Workington Town won for the second time this season at the South Leeds Stadium in what was a frustrating match for the home team.
Although Hunslet took the points up at Derwent Park in early June, the Cumbrians made it two wins from two visits to peg back the host’s chances of finishing in second position in the Betfred League One.
A late comeback could have seen Hunslet win, but a poor first half left the Parksiders with too much to do and Workington held on for the win.
Although Hunslet lost Josh Jordan-Roberts to a head injury early on they fended off the early Workington attacks and took the lead on 11 minutes when a Joe Law break led to a penalty. Quick passing by Jimmy Watson sent Jude Ferreira over for the opening score and with a Beharrell conversion Hunslet led 6-0.
So far so good, but after a bit of Town pressure on the last tackle Zarrin Galea backed up a kick to score and the visitors were back in the game. 6-4
Jack Render and Jimmy Watson had to clear the lines from a great Town kick, but being forced back Hunslet had to drop out. Quick passing by the Cumbrians sent Liam McNicholas over and with Carl Forber’s conversion Workington led on 25 minutes 6-10.
Although Keenan Tomlinson went close for Hunslet mistakes and penalties were giving Workington possession, and on 32 minutes they stretched their lead when Carl Forber strolled through a gap to score under the posts. Converting his own try Workington led 6-16.
It got worse on 37 minutes as Grant Reid broke through, dummied and went under the posts to stretch the lead to 6-22. Although a spear tackle on Jude Ferreira went unpunished the half-time hooter was welcomed as Hunslet needed to regroup and plan a way to get back into the match.
Only two minutes into the second half Hunslet struck back. Cam Berry found a hole near the ruck and shot through, before an inside Paga ball sent Ethan O’Hanlon over to reduce the arrears (with a Beharrell conversion) to 12-22.
Game on! And with Jimmy Watson and Jude Ferreira making a break it looked as though Hunslet may pull back, but on 47 minutes after a ball steal Carl Forber took two points to stretch Workington’s lead again to 12-24.
On 50 minutes there was more frustration for Hunslet as a loose ball ping-ponged about before Christopher Taylor pounced to score and stretch Workington’s lead to 12-30. A tough ask now for the home side.
Hunslet didn’t give up though, and a quick Jack Render tap resulted in a penalty. Close to the Workington line Cam Berry sucked in defenders and threw a good ball out to Liam Carr who scored his fouth try in three games to make it 18-30 with 20 minutes to play.
Frustratingly Hunslet knocked-on from the kick off and Workington had a chance to add 2 more points as Carl Forber made the most of a penalty for ripping. 18-32
Now the game became unstructured as Hunslet had to press. Law and Goddard attacked from a loose pass, Beharrell kicked to Jack Render but the winger couldn’t gather, and even Harvey Hallas tried a kick and gather to score.
On 75 minutes the game got interesting when Jude Ferreira got his second of the afternoon backing up a Beharrell kick and with conversion it was 24-32, still time for a late push.
From the kick-off Joe Law made a break, but the Town defence pulled off a brilliant tackle halting a certain try, and although Ross Whitmore was held up and Jude Ferreira went close Workington held on for the win. Hunslet had given themselves too much to do.
Although Rochdale lost at Oldham, so Hunslet remain in third place this was a chance to put pressure on second place Keighley. Ultimately Hunslet were their own worst enemy and too many first half mistakes cost them.
Jude Ferreira picked up the Sponsors Man of the Match and Joe Law the Phoenix Bar Supporters Man of the match. There were also good performances from Michael Knowles and Matty Fletcher, but with four games to go Hunslet need to become consistent as at times this year they have been brilliant, but when it comes to the play-off’s you can’t afford to have an off day like today.
Hunslet play next at Cornwall on Saturday 10 August.
Hunslet RLFC: Watson, Goddard, Law, Ferreira, Render, Paga, Beharrell, Hallas, Whitmore, Knowles, Jordan-Roberts, Tomlinson, Syme, Berry, Carr, O’Hanlon, Fletcher, Coventry.
Workington Town: Galea, Hadfield, Taylor, Brierley, Southward, Burns, Forber, Key, Henson, Walton, Bradley, McNicholas, Stephenson, Archer, Brennan, Reid, Tongia.
Match images courtesy of Craig Irvine
