Hunslet RLFC 18-54 London Broncos
Hunslet could be forgiven for thinking the gods were against them when Featherstone Rovers pulled out of this year’s competition and London Broncos were pencilled in as an alternative fixture.
The Londoners have a full time squad and are Super League ready with 12 wins from 12 and have only conceded 124 points so far this Season (with Doncaster the highest scorers against them with 20).
But Hunslet were in determined mood today despite still not having a large squad to call on through injury and gave themselves plenty to feed off for the rest of the season.
It looked ominous early on when Luke Smith broke through easily on only the 3rd minute, with James Meadows converting, but Hunslet were dogged in defence holding off a big London pack.
Frustratingly, the next try came as Hunslet tried to play flowing football in their own 20. A hopeful long ball was read by Neil Tchamambe and the big winger strolled over to score. 0-12 on only 7 minutes.
But Hunslet came into the game. Dan Abram made a break before ,on 16 minutes, Myles Harrop made good yards down the left, Lee Gaskell then put a brilliant kick across field for Mackenzie Turner to pluck out of the air and score. Billy Jowitt converting. 6-12
Tchamambe got his second try on 20 minutes when London showed their class with quick hands to the right, before Sadiq Adebiyi forced a score on the last tackle. 6-24
However, again Hunslet attacked, and although Abram was held short, Jowitt put a kick in for Mackenzie Turner to score his second try. 12-24 on 31 minutes.
Penalties pegged back Hunslet, and on 36 minutes Emely Bitungane found his way over with Meadows converting to make it 12-30.
Ethan O’Hanlon had been doing damage down the middle and Charlie Graham was running well, but it was good hands that saw Jayden Hatton with space in front of him, and the big centre was too strong to stop on the hooter (although unfortunately injuring himself in the process).
18-30 at the break.
London went for the kill in the second period pegging Hunslet in their own 20, but a mixture of mistakes and good defence kept them out.
As Hunslet attacked Lee Gaskell put a kick through, but pulled up and had to be substituted, meaning without the experienced half Hunslet had to shuffle the pack.
On 56 minutes again with Hunslet attacking well the ball went loose and Morea Morea picked up to sprint 50 yards to score. 18-36 and a cruel blow for The Parkisiders.
Dan Abram was unlucky with a double kick to not create a chance, but on 63 minutes the game was effectively over when Neil Tchamambe completed his hat trick scoring in the corner on the last tackle. 18-42
Hunslet could have now caved in (Myles Harrop having also come off for an Head Injury Assessment) but although Hussey-Hord and Morea added tries for London, Hunslet didn’t stop attacking, with Turner unlucky not to take a difficult kick and Jowitt running well.
In fact on the hooter London had to scramble in defence as Ethan O’Hanlon looked certain to score.
On the hooter it was the Broncos who took the points (with James Meadows kicking 9 from 9) but Hunslet Head Coach Kyle Trout was pleased with his players. The three injuries either side of half time came at a time when Hunslet were still in the game, but never once did The Parksiders heads drop.
Billy Jowitt won the ‘Tricks of the Trade’ Sponsors player of the match whilst Dan Abram received the Phoenix Bar Supporters Player of the Match. Ethan O’Hanlon, Charlie Graham and Mackenzie Turner also had superb matches.
Hunslet travel to Newcastle Thunder next Saturday.
Hunslet RLFC: Jowitt, Turner, Hatton, Harrop, Watson, Gaskell, Abram, Walker, Berry, O’Hanlon, Gilmore, Graham, Battye. Interchange: Tydeman, Ward, Carr, Hallas. 18th Player: Elijah Simpson.
London Broncos: Morea, Wallis, Davidson, Webster-Mansfield, Tchamambe, Voro, Meadows, Campbell-Gillard, Davis, Bitungane, Adebiyi, Smith, Havili. Interchange: Glare, Stock, Horsey-Hord, O’Beirne. 18th Player: Ramsden.
