North Wales Crusaders 16-46 Hunslet RLFC

Hunslet produced 40 minutes of their best rugby this season at the Eirias Stadium in Colwyn Bay (21 July 2024) as they ran out comfortable winners in a game that looked in the balance at half time.

North Wales Crusaders have been tricky opponents over the last few seasons and led by Coach Carl Forster were up for this game from the off.

Hunslet held firm in the early parts of the game, but an old ghost came back to haunt them as Rob Massam (returning from retirement) took a high kick to give Crusaders the lead on 6 minutes. 4-0

It looked like Crusaders had extended their lead moments later, but Cole Oakley had his try disallowed for obstruction.

Hunslet started to get into the game though, and after Jordan Paga could not quite ground a Matty Beharrell kick a Crusaders mistake gave Hunslet good field position. Quick hands on 15 minutes sent Jack Render heading for the corner, a try looked unlikely but the big winger was too strong and fended off the defence to score. Beharrell converting 4-6

Crusaders levelled moments later as Reid took 2 points for a high tackle, then on 29 minutes a kick behind the Hunslet defence was left and Rob Massam again pounced to score. 10-6

North Wales were maybe just edging it, but on 32 minutes, with Crusaders on the attack, on-loan winger Noah Booth read the play and intercepted to sprint 90 yards to score. 10-12 after Beharrell converted.

Although Reid missed a chance to level up for Crusaders as his attempted penalty sailed wide there was nothing in it as the teams headed off to the changing rooms for half-time. 10-12

The second half started with Hunslet on the front foot. On 45 minutes after only Hunslet’s second penalty of the match Cam Berry shot over to score from close range. Then 3 minutes later a Jack Coventry drive set up Beharrell who put Ferreira in the clear. The centre drew the defence brilliantly and sent Jack Render over for his second of the afternoon. Both tries were converted by Matty Beharrell 10-24

Crusaders were shell-shocked, and although an attacking kick caused a scare for Hunslet when it rebounded off the post the Parksiders didn’t take their foot off the gas.

Jude Ferreira was held short, then on 58 minutes after another penalty, quick hands enabled Aaron Levy to put Joe Law in a gap to score. Beharrell converting 10-30.

Although both Cam Berry and Aaron Levy left the field with injuries, Hunslet struck again. This time on 65 minutes a Matty Beharrell kick was plucked out of the sky by Jack Render for the wingman to score one of his trademark tries and complete his hat trick. 10-34

Things got worse for the hosts as Davies was sent to the sin-bin and on 73 minutes another Beharrell kick was patted back for Joe Law to score his second of the afternoon, converted by Michael Knowles. 10-40

The re-start went straight dead as Crusaders started to wish for the full-time hooter. Noah Booth went close in the right corner before, on 78 minutes, Liam Carr knocked tacklers off to score another good try after coming off the bench, converted by Knowles. 10-46

Although both Paga and Ferreira came close for Hunslet it was North Wales who had the last say when on 80 minutes Lane found a gap to score. Reid adding the extras. 16-46

But on the full time hooter it was smiles all round for the travelling Hunslet faithful. With George Flanagan out injured and Matty Fletcher missing due to suspension there is still talent to add to this team and possible headaches for Coach Dean Muir in future matches as competition for places hots up.

Jack Render took the away supporters bus Man of the Match for his hat trick, but there were strong performances from Joe Law, Michael Knowles and Ross Whitmore too.

Hunslet remain in third place in the Betfred League One and host Workington Town next Sunday (28 July) at 3pm as we head into the last five league games of the season.

Teams

Hunslet RLFC:  Watson, Booth, Law, Ferreira, Render, Paga, Beharrell, Hallas, Whitmore, Knowles, Jordan-Roberts, Levy, Syme, Berry, Carr, O’Hanlon, Coventry, Tomlinson.

North wales Crusaders:  Lane, Massam, Taylor, Smith, Thewliss, Moss, Coates, Evans, Baldwin, Barratt, Oakley, Davies, Foster, Carr, Baker, Costello, Holmes.

Match action images courtesy of Phil Green Photography

Main image courtesy of Phil Green Photography