MATCH REPORT: HURRICANES 42 CORNWALL 26
Tyler Hepple’s try was crucial. Pic: Andy Shaw
MIDLANDS HURRICANES 42 CORNWALL 26
DAVE MUSSON, Portway, Sunday 4 September 2022
HURRICANES head coach Rich Squires said he was proud of his side’s efforts as they wrapped up the 2022 with a win, and said this year was just the beginning for the Midlands club.
His team had to dig deep to fend off a spirited Cornwall fightback, who at one point looked like pulling off the most unlikely of revivals.
The hosts were cruising at half time, 30-0 to the good thanks to tries from Matty Welham, Liam Welham, Tyler Walton, AJ Boardman, and Hayden Freeman.
But quick-fire scores from Johnny Griffiths, Jack Ray and Jamie Prisk flung Cornwall back into contention and almost sparked a sensational recovery.
A Tyler Hepple try, followed quickly by a score from Adam Reed just about secured it for the Hurricanes, although further Cornish tries from Prisk and Nathan Cullen showed why they’ve won so many hearts in their maiden season.
Squires said: “We got a little bit carried away in the second half, a little bit complacent and, on their day, Cornwall can score points. Our discipline went out of the window a bit, but we were comfortable off the back of that first half, going in 30-0 up at half time.
“It’s been a stop-start season, both on and off the field. I’m really proud of the group that has stuck together - there have been some highs and lows this year. We didn’t quite match our own expectations, but it’s a stepping stone for the bigger journey we want to go on.
“It’s only the start for us.”
The Hurricanes class of 2022. Pic: Andy Shaw
After a positive opening few minutes from the visitors, it was the Hurricanes who struck first. Ben Stead came close after bursting onto a delightful offload from Tom Wilkinson, before Matty Welham eventually finished it off, recouping his own grubber then burrowing through.
Five minutes later, the other Welham extended the Hurricanes’ lead. Reed was tackled ten metres out after a neat burst and pass from his captain, who was then sharp enough at the play-the-ball to find the gap.
Liam Welham scored in the first half. Pic: Andy Shaw
Another soon followed; Stead’s kick on the last seemed a simple one to take, but the Cornish defence fluffed it and Walton pounced.
Tyler Walton punished a Cornwall defensive error. Pic: Andy Shaw
The Hurricanes were now full of confidence and added another just after the half hour, Boardman powering over with ease from close range, before Freeman finished well after a period of flamboyant, swashbuckling handling.
Hayden Freeman bagged a try. Pic: Andy Shaw
The visitors came out with a renewed sense of purpose after the break, and finally scored some points seven minutes later when Griffiths barged over.
That lifted Cornwall and they scored again moments later, Ray crashing onto the ball with a perfect angle.
Incredibly, they scored again soon after – Prisk throwing a huge sidestep to flummox the Hurricanes defence and open a door in front of the sticks that he promptly fell through.
An unlikely comeback was suddenly lingering, so it was a great relief to home players and fans alike when Hepple calmly waltzed through the defence to give his side room to breathe.
Bailey Dawson was impressive throughout. Pic: Andy Shaw
They had another just after the hour when Reed caught Hepple’s outrageous long pass and stepped inside for a simple try.
But Cornwall refused to go away, and Prisk grabbed his second with just over ten minutes, showing impressive strength and agility to score.
After such an entertaining game, it was a shame that the final ten minutes were something of a farce, with both teams taking cheap shots and breaking into scuffles whenever the opportunity arose. That, and the bizarre sight of Cornish winger Christopher Chord being helped from the field with what looked like a broken wrist while leading the crowd in chants of ‘oggy, oggy, oggy’ in between puffs of oxygen.
Tom Wilkinson gave a dominant performance. Pic: Andy Shaw
When play finally resumed, there was just time for Cullen to give Cornwall the final say of 2022, somehow driving through three defenders to twist and finish well.
This final win of the year sees the Hurricanes finish in eighth position in their inaugural season, just one place off the play-offs. And so the plotting for 2023 begins.
Hurricanes man of the match: Tyler Hepple
Another summer of rugby league done! Pic: Andy Shaw
MATCHFACTS
HURRICANES: M Welham, Reed, Flanagan, L Welham, Freeman, Hepple, Stead, Clavering, Cullimore, J Dawson, B Dawson, Newbound, WIlkinson.
Subs: Bull, Boardman, Walton, Bowring (not used).
Tries: M Welham (9), L Welham (14), Walton (24), Boardman (31), Freeman (37), Hepple (56), Reed (63)
Goals: Stead 7/7
CORNWALL: Whitton, Aaronson, Jones-Bishop, Ashton, Trerise, Prisk, Turton, Hartshorne, Lloyd, Ray, Cullen, Boardman, Beer.
Subs (all used): Chord, Bolger, Connolly, Griffiths.
Tries: Griffiths (47), Ray (51), Prisk (54, 68), Cullen (76)
Goals: Prisk 3/5
Sinbin: Whitton (9) - dissent
Penalty count: 3-9
Half-time: 30-0
Referee: Bradley Milligan
Attendance: 232
SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 12-0, 18-0, 24-0, 30-0; 30-4, 30-10, 30-16, 36-16, 42-16, 42-22, 42-26.