Whitehaven RLFC 10-30 Hunslet RLFC

Hunslet made it three league wins on the bounce at the Recreation Ground, Whitehaven in impressive fashion. Scoring four first half tries with some sparkling handling, and even though the hosts made a game of it in the second half The Parksiders had done the damage.

Short on numbers at Oldham last week Hunslet took Isaac Misky and Jordan Baldwinson on loan from Doncaster and recent signing Ant Walker from North Wales Crusaders added more power to the pack.

Hunslet got off to a flyer in the first minute when Lee Gaskell found Harrison Gilmore who broke through and fed Myles Harrop (who at the moment is on superb form) to score. Billy Jowitt converting 0-6

Although Whitehaven had some possession, in attack Hunslet looked lethal on the left edge. On 9 minutes Harrop again danced through and fed to a supporting Jimmy Watson who touched down under the posts. Billy Jowitt converting 0-12

It was a superb start, but some mistakes crept in. A few knock-on’s and penalties gave Whitehaven the ball in the Hunslet half, but The Parksiders were strong in defence and on 23 minutes after Haven were up out of the line quickly Isaac Misky managed to find a hole and beat off defenders to score. Dan Abram converting 0-18

Whitehaven were shell-shocked, but tried to pull themselves back in the game. Even though The Cumbrians were held up and forced a drop-out big tackles from O’Hanlon and Misky stopped them in their tracks.

On 38 minutes after Eddie Battye had gone close and Hunslet had turned down a kickable penalty Lee Gaskell and Charlie Graham combined for Jack Ward to score. Billy Jowitt converting 0-24

Hunslet finished the half with a Gaskell 40/20 and although they had no time to benefit it summed up the half, the Yorkshiremen were on form and on top. 0-24

Hunslet returned for the start of the second half without their Captain Billy Jowitt who had retired with a hand injury, but The Parksiders again went on the front foot. Joe Butterfield being held up before Myles Harrop was a fingernail away from scoring from a Lee Gaskell kick.

Jowitt’s injury had meant Hunslet had to shuffle, and Whitehaven started to make ground whilst The Parksiders were settling.

On 49 minutes Ciaran Walker found a gap on the left to score for Haven, but no conversion left it at 4-24.

Misky, Hallas and Berry combined for a good Hunslet move, but it was Whitehaven who scored next. On 57 minutes on the last tackle the Hunslet defence backed off and Haven ran it for Seth Woodend to score, Walker converting 10-24 and a sniff for the home side.

More Whitehaven pressure and a controversial knock-on ruled out a certain try for Haven. Hunslet were riding their luck and Charlie Graham had to block a pass for a certain try.

But time was running out and with Isaac Misky back on the field Hunslet again gained control.

Liam Carr had made a half break, but on 77 minutes after Jordan Baldwinson went close Misky bagged his brace from acting half back. Dan Abram converting 10-30.

Hunslet finished the game on the attack, and at the hooter were deserved winners.

Under Head Coach Kyle Trout Hunslet are playing some really entertaining football, you feel they can score from anywhere and Player of the Match Myles Harrop is in superb form.

Everyone played well but Misky, Abram and Gaskell stood out for Hunslet. Although they still make unforced errors and could be even better, Hunslet are now starting to climb the league and with a home game next week against another Cumbrian side, Workington Town, they will hope to make it four wins from four.

Whitehaven RLFC:  Walker-Taylor, Eccleston, Todd, Bickerdike, Woodend, Walker, Burns, Brennen, Holgate, Jake Pearce, Holliday, Ben Pearce, Kellett.  Interchange: Brown, Polec, Williamson, Smith.  18th Player: Weathehrill.

Hunslet RLFC:  Abram, Watson, Harrop, Jowitt, Graham, Gaskell, Ward, Hallas, Misky, Baldwinson, Gilmore, Carr, Battye.  Interchange: Berry, O’Hanlon, Walker, Butterfield.  18th Player: Eli Simpson.