MATCH REPORT: HURRICANES 16 HUNSLET 22
Man of the Match Trae O’Sullivan on the charge. Pic: Andy Shaw
MIDLANDS HURRICANES 16 HUNSLET 22
DAVE MUSSON, Portway, Sunday 1 May 2022
HURRICANES head coach Rich Squires rued his side’s lack of patience, as Hunslet were able to dig deep and grind out a hard-fought win at Portway on Sunday.
The Hurricanes shone in flashes, and tries from Hayden Freeman, Matty Welham, and Benn Hardcastle were all well taken. But they weren’t able to take what chances did appear – particularly during a five-minute period before half-time where Hunslet had two men in the sinbin.
Squires said: “They came with a game plan and they followed it to a tee. It affected us; we couldn’t get going and it rattled us a little bit.
“The first ten minutes we did really well, but after that we gave away penalties and repeat sets, and they were fresh when they were attacking us. They’re a dangerous team when they do attack.
“We weren’t patient enough. We’ve got to set up a platform and play off that, and we didn’t do that today - we tried to play when we shouldn’t have. We just couldn’t get going today.”
Elliott Windley is stopped by two Hunslet defenders. Pic: Andy Shaw
Tries for the visitors from Jack Render, Jacob Doyle, and a crucial double from livewire Harvey Whiteley were enough to halt the Parksiders’ two-match losing streak and get their season back on track.
Neither side were spectacular – the drizzly conditions not helping a match that was dominated by the big men in the middle – but Hunslet’s grit, and game management saw them through.
Freeman’s sixth try of the season opened the scoring for the hosts after eight minutes. The Hurricanes gained strong position from a penalty, then Hardcastle’s delightful floated pass made it a simple finish for the winger.
The visitors hit back six minutes later with a similar try – this time Jason Mossop with the excellent pass for Render to finish well in the corner, again after gaining territory from a penalty.
They struck again moments later, efficiently moving up the field before Whiteley scooted through a gap in the Hurricanes line from close range.
Hunslet bagged another on their next attack, as they flung the ball around with confidence. Render was denied a second in one corner, before they quickly moved it to Doyle who bounced off a Freeman tackle to score in the other.
Sam Bowring tries to offload in the tackle. Pic: Andy Shaw
Just as an entertaining spectacle was threatening to break out, it all got a bit scrappy and ill-disciplined. Hunslet had their two men sinbinned in quick succession, but the Hurricanes lacked the composure to make the numerical advantage count and wasted a number of good opportunities.
To their credit, Hunslet defended resolutely, and kept their hosts at bay long enough to take the half time lead back to the sheds.
Hurricanes didn’t seem to find their groove again until Hunslet were back to their full allocation and scored soon after the playing numbers were evened up. Hardcastle’s lofted kick on the final tackle was superbly taken and scored by Matty Welham.
The next ten minutes were a war of attrition – rough around the edges, error-strewn, but undeniably engaging too.
Eventually, the visitors ploughed a path downfield, and the electric Whiteley zipped over again from close range. A Sanderson penalty seven minutes later gave his side a few more inches of breathing room.
Liam Welham breaks the line. Pic': Andy Shaw
Another ten minutes of sludge followed, before Hardcastle’s sixth try of the season gave the hosts hope. The Hurricanes general showed great sleight of hand – and quick feet – to pierce the Hunslet line and finish well.
But Hunslet reacted superbly, first driving the Hurricanes back off their own end of the pitch following the restart, and then forcing another goal-line drop out for the hosts, which ate up enough time and sapped enough energy to see out the win.
The Hurricanes will be looking to bounce back next Saturday, when they travel to Rochdale - kick off is 3pm.
Hurricanes man of the match: Trae O’Sullivan
MATCHFACTS
Hurricanes: Stead, Lawton, M Welham, L Welham, Freeman, Scott, Hardcastle, Clavering, Windley, Ryan, Bowring, Bull, Walton.
Subs (all used): O’Sullivan, Bowman, Newbound, Spiers
Tries: Freeman (8), M Welham (45), Hardcastle (76)
Goals: Hardcastle 2/3
Hunslet: Watson, Reittie, Doyle, Mossop, Render, Sanderson, Paga, Hallas, Whiteley, Moran, Jordan-Roberts, Oakley, Syme.
Subs: Burton, Moorhouse, O’Hanlon, Mallinson (not used)
Tries: Render (14), Whiteley (18, 59), Doyle (22)
Goals: Sanderson 3/5
Sinbin: Hallas (26) – deliberately slowing the ball in the tackle, O’Hanlon (31) – late tackle
Penalty count: 7-10
Half-time: 6-14
Referee: Liam Rush
Attendance: 253
SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 6-4, 6-10, 6-14, 10-14, 10-20, 10-22, 16-22