Hunslet RLFC 6-34 Huddesrfield Giants
Hunslet bowed out of the Challenge Cup after a battling but ultimately unsuccessful performance against Super League Huddersfield Giants at the South Leeds Stadium.
The Giants ruck speed and strength meant Hunslet had to do a lot of tackling against full-time professionals that took its toll later in the game, but if they take this experience into the Championship league season it should stand them in good stead.
Huddersfield started off on the front foot and The Parksiders had to do some tough defence work, but on 8 minutes a high kick was spilt by the Huddersfield full-back and Greg Eden pounced to scoop up and score. Matty Beharrell converting. 6-0
It became a good contest at this point as Huddersfield struggled to break down the rugged Hunslet defence, but on 20 minutes the breakthrough came as Harry Rushton hit an angle and sidestepped through to score. Rush converting 6-6.
Hunslet were making it harder for themselves conceding penalties, and on 24 minutes after another infringement Huddersfield shipped it out quickly to the left for Adam Swift to score. 6-12
The Parksiders were very rarely in the Giants half, but a break on the wing for Mackenzie Turner saw Liam Welham go close, unfortunately the ball was spilled at the play of the ball ending the attack.
Hunslet ended the half well and Lachy Hennighan was unlucky from a kick/chase. But at 6-12 Dean Muir could be happy with his side’s first half performance. 6-12 at the break.
It was a bitterly cold day, and the home fans were not warmed when Hunslet tried one pass too many on 44 minutes close in to their line giving Elliot Wallace a gift of a try. 6-18
To be honest, with not much ball Hunslet had to push the envelope, but on that occasion it was one play too many.
Hunslet were not completing sets and were giving themselves more tackling to do. But even though Liam Welham intercepted to stop a certain try, on 61 minutes Jake Bibby followed up a kick to score and put the game to bed for Huddersfield. 6-24
Had a Hunslet move moments earlier come off it would still be game on as Noah Booth had broken through and tried to find Mackenzie Turner, but the pass went to ground and the chance was gone.
Tired legs in defence now meant Huddersfield added late tries from Adam Swift (his second of the day) and Rogers (from a George Flanagan ball). Flanagan converting the second try 6-34
So 6-34 at the hooter, and a valuable run out for this season’s Parksiders team. Greg Eden received sponsors Player of the Match for his try and being a constant threat, whilst the Phoenix Supporters Player of the Match went to Matty Beharrell.
But there were also good performances from Ethan Wood, Liam Welham and Billy Jowitt whose yard gains got special praise from his Head Coach.
Next week Hunslet travel to Barrow in Round 1 of the Championship season where the real work starts in establishing Hunslet as a Championship club.
Hunslet RLFC: Watson, Eden, Jowitt, Booth, Turner, Hennighan, Beharrell, Hallas, Whitmore, Larroyer, Wood, Welham, Syme. Interchanges: Berry, Roberts, O’Hanlon, Campbell. 18th player: Rugless.
Huddersfield Giants: Gagai, Wallis, Hewitt, Jake Bibby, Swift, Lolohea, Rush, Wilson, Woolford, Burgess, Greenwood, Rushton, Goulding. Interchanges: Flanagan, Billington, Rogers, Jack Bibby. 18th player: Carter.
Photos courtesy of Craig Irvine
