Rochdale Hornets 26-46 Hunslet RLFC
Hunslet have booked their place in the Betfred League 1 Play-off final at Keighley Cougars next week after a resounding victory over Rochdale Hornets.
The two sides were locked 18-18 at the break, but the Parksiders delivered a season’s best 40 minutes to edge them another step nearer to the Championship.
The travelling army of supporters made their presence felt from the off, but it was Rochdale that dominated the early exchanges. The referee adjudged Hunslet to have knocked a kick into touch and this meant Rochdale could mount some pressure. After being held up and receiving a penalty for a high tackle Jack Darbyshire broke through to give the hosts the lead on only 3 minutes. 6-0
It wasn’t until the 6th minute that Hunslet got their hands on the ball. A kick-out on the full allowed Hunslet to attack. George Flanagan made a break but the ball came loose at the crucial moment.
On 10 minutes though the Parksiders struck. Flanagan sent Mackenzie Turner through who combined with Alfie Goddard to return the ball to Flanagan who dived over to score. Beharrell converting to square up 6-6.
Hunslet were now getting on top, but Flanagan’s kicks were swept up by the Hornets defence and a hopeful ball to Jack Render was too high for the winger to take.
Against the run of play the home side struck when clever play sucked the Hunslet defence in and Luke Forber found space down the left edge. The winger rounded Flanagan and scored a good try to give Hornets the lead with Harman’s conversion 12-6
A tackle on Jack Render in the air gave Hunslet a chance to get straight back in the match and Hunslet took it well. On 28 minutes after another penalty Cam Berry shot over from acting half-back and with Beharrell’s conversion it was tied up again at 12-12.
Although Hunslet had their chances, it looked like Rochdale would go into the sheds leading at the break as former Hunslet man Jordan Andrade spun in the tackle to score on 37 minutes. Rochdale with the conversion led 18-12, but instead of keeping the ball tight Rochdale flung a pass out to the left only for Mackenzie Turner to intercept and run 60 yards to score. Matty Beharrell converting on the hooter leaving us 18-18 at the break with nothing in it.
The most important 40 minutes of Hunslet’s season were upon us and the team saved their best ’til now. Forcing a drop out early on with Michael Knowles putting in a pinpoint kick and Jordan Syme a crunching tackle, the Parksiders shipped the ball out left. Matty Beharrell turned the ball inside to Jack Render who caught the Hornets on the wrong foot to score under the sticks. 18-24 on 42 minutes.
Render struck again 5 minutes later with a trademark try. Quick hands to the left sent Render on a run ending in a superb dive to score. 18-28
Rochdale were shell-shocked and after another drop out quick hands sent Jude Ferreira into space. The speedy centre found enough of a gap to score adding another to his growing tally of tries this season. Matty Beharrell converted and Hunslet led 18-34
Another attack saw Hornets fumble the ball over the dead ball line, and this time the resulting attack ended in Ethan Wood running a good angle to score. 18-40 and game surely over.
Rochdale had hardly had the ball, but on 62 minutes they had an opportunity to attack after retrieving the ball from a short kick-off. Misi Taulapapa finished off a move to the right and we were at 22-40.
Surely there was too much to do for the home side, but on 68 minutes they gave themselves hope when Luke Forber finished off a move in the corner. No conversion left it 26-40 still three scores away.
Rochdale were certainly on a roll and could play with openness knowing they had nothing to lose. A kick on the last tackle took a lucky bounce and Rochdale were bound to score until Ethan Wood pulled off a superb try saving tackle.
That probably settled the game, but Hunslet finished in style on 77 minutes when Ethan O’Hanlon burst through the middle and fed George Flanagan who dived under the posts to the travelling army’s delight. 26-46
On the hooter the Hunslet players and fans celebrated a famous victory. Coach Dean Muir and his team had said it was all about hitting their best form come the play-offs and that was certainly the case today. Hunslet found their top gears today, now can they go on to do the same at Keighley Cougars next week?
Knowles and Beharrell were superb marshalling the team around the field and with boot from hand and kicking tee. Hallas, Fletcher and O’Hanlon led from the front and both Render and Turner were a threat on the flanks.
George Flanagan played his best game in a Hunslet shirt and Aaron Levy (celebrating his 100th professional appearance) was a welcome addition back in the squad.
Hunslet will travel to Keighley Cougars next week in the Betfred League 1 Play-off Final.
Hunslet RLFC: Flanagan, Turner, Goddard, Ferreira, Render, Knowles, Beharrell, Carr, Whitmore, Fletcher, Levy, Wood, Syme. Interchanges: Berry, Hallas, Wray, O’Hanlon. 18th Player: Coventry.
Rochdale Hornets: McNally, Taulapapa, Darbyshire, Harrop, Forber, Flanagan, Harman, Killan, Ratchford, Nelmes, Forster, Straugheir, Whittle. Interchanges: Meadows, Andrade, Spencer-Tonks, Roberts. 18th Player: Brannan.
