MATCH REPORT: HUNSLET 0 HURRICANES 24
The victorious Hurricanes group celebrate their historic win. Pic: Rach Pressley
HUNSLET 0 MIDLANDS HURRICANES 24
DAVE MUSSON, South Leeds Stadium, Friday 29 July 2022
HEAD COACH Rich Squires hailed his side’s ‘complete performance’ as the Midlands Hurricanes bagged a landmark victory at Hunslet.
A debut try from Tom Wilkinson and an acrobatic finish from Elliott Wallis gave the Midlands side a two-score lead at the break, before further tries from Tyler Walton and Chris Cullimore - sandwiched around a Ben Stead penalty - wrapped up a clinical and historic win.
The triumph was significant for a number of reasons; aside from keeping the Hurricanes’ hopes of making the play-offs a mathematical possibility, it was also the first time a Midlands side had won against a traditional heartlands club away from home.
And they did it in style, nilling Hunslet on their own patch and commanding the game with the kind of performance they’ve threatened to put on all season.
A proud Squires said: “It’s a win that has been building for a number of weeks. We often compete for 50 or 60 minutes only to fall off, but this was a complete performance.
“We dominated from start to finish and took our chances when needed. We forced our hand a little too many times in the second half, which put us under pressure that wasn't needed, but we defended brilliantly and the zero on the scoreboard is more pleasing than the win in my opinion.
“This group has worked hard for each other, put in a great training session this week and they deserve this. This is the first time we’ve beaten a northern team away from home - as either the Hurricanes or the Coventry Bears - so it’s a game-changer. It shows what we can do.
“We’ve been known as the nearly men, and there’s only so much of that we could take - hopefully we can drive on from this into the back end of the season.”
The opening quarter was a slow-burn, with both sides initially going back and forth before the Hurricanes grew into the game. Stead made a neat break only to be ankle tapped 15 metres short of the line, before Cullimore was held up over the line.
The hosts hit back and almost scored themselves, only for an interception on the final pass to stop them in mid-flow.
After 20 minutes, the deadlock was finally broken as the visitors opened their account for the night. It was a simple score too; Wilkinson stayed alert and scooted over from dummy half.
The next ten minutes were another arm wrestle, with both sides going close, before the Hurricanes further stretched their lead just after the half hour.
Showing the kind of attacking flair that has been one of the highlights of their season so far, the Hurricanes whizzed through some beautiful handling before Wallis was able to finish in the corner with a sensational, acrobatic score.
And they almost scored again just before half time, only to knock on over the line.
Unsurprisingly, Hunslet came out fired up for the second half and the Hurricanes had to withstand a considerable amount of pressure. But, they did it admirably and grew in confidence with each repelled attack.
It was ultimately little surprise when the Hurricanes struck again just before the hour - as their dream started to become a reality. This time it was Walton who got the glory, cutting through the Hunslet defence and leaping over to score.
The next ten minutes were frantic - a real test of the Hurricanes’ defence and their supporters’ nerves.
It looked like the hosts had scored five minutes after Walton’s try, but it was scrubbed out for a forward pass. The Hurricanes then had to concede a goal line drop-out to prevent a certain score, before somehow bundling a Hunslet player into touch inches from their line.
More resolute defending followed before a fantastic 40/20 from Stead relieved the pressure for a while and gave the Hurricanes vital field position.
Six minutes from time, the Hurricanes were awarded a penalty 20 metres out, and Stead coolly knocked it over to all-but seal the win.
Then, two minutes from time, history and Midlands rugby league immortal was secured when Cullimore bagged his second try in as many matches to wrap up an incredible night.
The Hurricanes will now look to build on this exceptional result for the remaining five games of the regular season, starting on Sunday, 7 August, when they welcome Oldham to Portway - kick off has been moved back to 5.30pm.
Hurricanes man of the match: Tom Wilkinson
Hunslet were left with nothing after a terrific Hurricanes performance. Pic: Paul Butterfield
MATCHFACTS
HUNSLET: Render, Rettie, Mossop, Hallett, Turner, Paga, Beharrell, Hird, Burton, O’Hanlon, Syme, Carr, Oakley.
Subs (all used): Berry, Stableford, Jones, Peltier.
HURRICANES: Lawton, Wallis, M Welham, L Welham, Freeman, Collins, Stead, Walton, Cullimore, Bowring, B Dawson, Wilkinson, Bull.
Subs (all used): Windley, Boardman, Newbound, Hepple.
Tries: Wilkinson (20), Wallis (31), Walton (58), Cullimore
Goals: Stead 4/5
Half time: 0-12
SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 0-12; 0-16, 0-18, 0-24