Hunslet 18 Midlands Hurricanes 14

Hunslet left it late to secure a Play-off semi-final away to Rochdale Hornets next weekend with a hard fought victory over Midlands Hurricanes at the South Leeds Stadium.

There was nothing between the teams but a late Jack Render try kept Hunslet’s Play-off hopes alive as the Parksiders live to fight another day.

The three previous victories over the Hurricanes meant nothing as a re-shuffled Hunslet won their first Play-off game since 2014.

The early exchanges saw a real arm-wrestle in wet and windy conditions with both teams trying to get the upper hand, but it was Midlands who drew first blood. Brad Clavering looked to be held short but turned in the tackle to score on the 11th minute, and with Jake Sweeting’s conversion the visitors led 0-6.

Alfie Goddard make a tremendous break for Hunslet, but Beharrell’s chip kick was too strong for the chasing three-quarters. Midlands lost Jason Bass to injury and went close after the resulting penalty, being held up by the Hunslet defence.

Another Midlands attack ended in a weak kick and Matty Beharrell scooped up and fed Jude Ferreira who went a full 80 yards to score on the 24th minute to get Hunslet back in the match. Beharrell converting superbly from the touch line 6-6.

Hunslet now were on top and Michael Knowles pegged Midlands back with some inventive kicking. On 34 minutes George Flanagan gambled on the 2nd tackle with a little kick which came off as Thomas Delaney raced to touch down inches from the dead ball line. 10-6

Closing in on half-time a chaotic bit of play from Render and Ferreira saw Midlands offside. Beharrell took the easy 2 points and Hunslet led at the break 12-6.

Midlands came out in the second period knowing it was now or never to keep their season alive. Jude Ferreira knocked a dangerous kick dead, and repeated sets tested the Hunslet defence. But the Parksiders held a solid wall until on 47 minutes a kick looking to go dead was pounced on by former Hunslet man Danny Barcoe to score. Sweetings conversion made in 12-12 and worse still for Hunslet George Flanagan was sin-binned for kicking the ball away.

Now was a time for Midlands to strike, but Hunslet’s defence was solid. Jake Sweeting elected to take two points as Hunslet were penalised for a late tackle, but as Flanagan re-entered the fray 12-14 was not an unassailable lead.

The trouble was Hunslet didn’t take their chances. George Flanagan looked to be in from a Beharrell kick but the ball went to ground, then Aaron Levy looked to have scored but was held short.

The Parksiders didn’t give up though, and the strength of a team is shown when they win when not playing well. Jude Ferreira won a penalty and quick hands to the left saw George Flanagan find a gap and feed Jack Render to dive over in the corner in the 79th minute.

The Ref took a moment to decide, but awarded the try and Matty Beharrell rubbed salt in the wound converting from the touch line. 18-14.

Midlands tried all they could to force a winning try but Hunslet held strong and probably deserved the victory in the end, as team and supporters relish another big game away to Rochdale.

Coach Dean Muir surely missed Cam Berry, Jimmy Watson and Josh Jordan-Roberts who were all injured, but his squad still had enough strength to see him home.

Matty Beharrell won sponsors Man of the Match and Michael Knowles Supporters Man of the Match. Harvey Hallas, Jack Render and George Flanagan also played well.

Hunslet face Rochdale Hornets next Sunday away in the Play-off Semi-Final eliminator.

HUNSLET – Flanagan, Delaney, Goddard, Ferreira, Render, Knowles. Beharrell, Hallas, Whitmore, Wray, Wood, Levy, Syme, Paga, Carr, O’Hanlon, Fletcher, Coventry.

MIDLANDS HURRICANES – Chrimes, Bass , Bowring, Willis, Clavering, Cullimore, Welham, Hewitt, Horner, Johnson, Kirby, Sweeting, Wilkinson, Barcoe, Green, Peachey, Moran, Hobson.