Hunslet RLFC 32-18 Keighley Cougars
Hunslet completed the double over Keighley Cougars yesterday at the South Leeds Stadium (9 August 2026) despite not having a recognised halfback or kicker in the side.
With Lee Gaskell, Dan Abram and Billy Jowitt missing with injury the team found a way with Eddie Battye and Charlie Graham going into the halves and Aiden Doolan leading superbly from acting half-back.
Things looked ominous early on when a kick went out on the full, but Jimmy Watson pulled off a superb try saving tackle and Hunslet’s forwards started to assert their dominance.
On 9 minutes, after a couple of penalties, Eddie Battye found a good ball to on-loan Blake Broadbent who reached over to score. Mackenzie Turner adding the extras. 6-0
Hunslet were on top and when Mackenzie Turner broke on the left Hunslet looked all on to score. Turner was tackled, but quick hands to the right had Keighley stretched until the final ball was too high for Mo Agoro to take.
Hunslet were getting the decisions but turning down shots at goal signifying confidence and on 21 minutes this proved fruitful. Keighley had kicked out on the full and Eddie Battye again found a willing runner in Ethan O’Hanlon who could not be stopped that close to the line. Turner converted and Hunslet led 12-0
Charlie Graham was tormenting his old team and broke on the right before both Liam Carr and Ethan O’Hanlon went close, but the attacks kept coming.
Harrop and Turner combined superbly on the left, before on 29 minutes Aiden Doolan went on a mazy solo run to the line. 16-0
All was going well, but Keighley clawed their way back into the game on 33 minutes when a bobbly kick wasn’t dealt with and Lucas Green backed up to score. Matty Beharrell converting 16-6.
Hunslet then compounded things by kicking off on the full. 4 minutes later after Jayden Hatton had saved a try a Beharrell kick found Izaak Farrell who scored under the posts. 16-12.
That would have been harsh on Hunslet at the break, but this week it was The Parksiders who got the half time try. On the last tackle Doolan put a ball to Ant Walker who showed his strength close to the line to score. Doolan converting 22-12.
Hunslet started the second half strongly despite losing Mackenzie Turner to injury and on 50 minutes a brilliant Doolan flat pass was hit by Jordan Baldwinson to score. Doolan converting 28-12
On 54 minutes with Sam Grice eating up yards Eddie Battye sent a ball left to Myles Harrop who flicked it back brilliantly for Jimmy Watson to score. 32-12
It could have now been a big score, but Keighley found a little fight as on 65 minutes good hands saw Brad Holroyd score to the left. Beharrell converting 32-18
Even though Harvey Hallas was held up Hunslet saw little of the ball in the last 10 minutes. Mistakes and overplaying gave the Cougars possession, but they never really threatened Hunslet’s line.
With Emmanuel Waine being sin-binned and Hunslet failing to find touch from the penalty the game fizzled out and Hunslet took the two points.
It was a good performance for The Parksiders being without Gaskell, Abram and Jowitt. The defence was solid and Hunslet’s pack dominated the middle of the park.
Eddie Battye picked up the ‘Tricks of the Trade’ Sponsors Player of the Match, whilst Aiden Doolan got the ‘Phoenix Bar’ Supporters Player of the Match, but Blake Broadbent, Sam Grice and Charlie Graham were all superb.
Hunslet will hope to have their playmakers back for the trip to a much-improved Sheffield Eagles next week (16 August), but off the back of two wins they are now in confident mood.
Hunslet RLFC: Watson, Agoro, Hatton, Harrop, Turner, Graham, Battye, Larroyer, Doolan, Broadbent, Grice, Carr, Baldwinson. Interchange: Berry, Hallas, O’Hanlon, Walker. 18th player: Tydeman.
Keighley Cougars: Sayner, Whitford, Walsh, Clarke, Holroyd, Farrell, Beharrell, Teanby, Flanagan, Clavering, Jordan-Roberts, Dean, Green. Interchange: Burton, Schofield, Waine, Parker. 18th player: Rushworth.
