MATCH REPORT: MIDLANDS HURRICANES 22 - 28 HUNSLET RLFC

A big thanks to our Matchday Sponsor for the Hunslet game: Gowling WLG

Canes end regular season with another narrow defeat to the Parksiders

With a play-off place secured by virtue of their away victory over Cornwall two weeks ago and North Wales Crusaders failing to defeat Rochdale last week, the Canes entered the final round of the regular season simply aiming to secure a fifth-place finish, a home Elimination Playoff fixture and a first win of the season at the third attempt over then fourth-placed Hunslet (following two narrow defeats of 26-30 (Home) and 25-18 (Away)). The Canes were without a number of players due to injury including talisman half-back Callum McLelland due to concussion protocols, however Head Coach Mark Dunning was still able to rely on Ryan Johnson and Lewis Peachey via the club’s dual-registration partnership with Sheffield Eagles, as well as young loanees Sullivan Medforth (Hull FC) and Finley Beardsworth (Wigan Warriors), as well as established prop Jose Kenga (Doncaster).

The match initially looked like it could be shaky for the Canes as a high bomb from Hunslet could not be gathered by Ryan Johnson and the visitors had an immediate chance to open the scores. Despite this, the Canes defence held firm and quickly bundled the attacking player into touch and regained possession. This appeared to entirely shift momentum, as from the resulting set the Canes were able to force Hunslet to concede a goal-line drop-out following a good kick from Hull FC loanee Sully Medforth, and from that resulting set a short bullet pass to Aaron Willis saw the young prop crash over a number of Hunslet defenders to open the score in our favour (4-0). Jake Sweeting - back into the squad following being unavailable for the away victory over Cornwall - showed his trademark kicking ability with an impressive kick from out wide (6-0).

A little over seven minutes later the visitors struck back, as hooker Ross Whitmore scooted over from dummy-half in to score a classic #9’s try (6-4). Veteran half-back Matty Beharrell had no issues converting the try from just right of the sticks (6-6). Shortly after Chris Cullimore had to come off for a head injury assessment after receiving a knock in the tackle, the visitors took the lead with a carbon copy of their first try as Ross Whitmore once again scooted over from dummy-half but from the left side of sticks (6-10). Beharrell once again converted the try from near the posts (6-12). Things went from bad to worse for the Canes as just three minutes later the home side’s ill-discipline throughout the first half presented the visitors with an opportunity to score, which they took full advantage of as second-rower Josh Jordan Roberts broke through some poor tackling to score under the posts (6-16), and Matty Beharrell extended the Parksiders’ lead to 12 points from the kicking tee (6-18).

Whilst the game remained even for the next ten minutes, the Canes could not click into gear and almost conceded a fourth try as Hunslet spotted a gap and broke the line to find themselves with a 3-on-2 advantage, however the attacking player inexplicably held on to the ball rather than pass outwards and found himself wrapped up on the last. The half-time hooter sounded a few minutes later, and a frustrated Midlands side went into the dressing room with work to do but all to play for.

Half-time: Midlands Hurricanes 6 - 18 Hunslet RLFC

With the Canes needing to score two converted tries just to level the scores, the home side knew they needed to come out of the sheds all guns blazing as they had in the opening minutes of the first half. This looked likely to happen as just seven minutes in some sustained pressure paid dividends for Midlands as a lovely cut-out pass from Jake Sweeting sailed past the Hunslet defence into the arms of Ryan Johnson who rushed over to score in the right corner (10-18). Sweeting then moved from provider to producer as a wonderful conversion from out wide brought the Canes to within six points of the visitors (12-18).

The next 15 minutes saw three tries shared between the two teams. Five minutes after Johnson’s try the Parksiders extended their lead to 10 points as some ill-discipline gave Hunslet an opportunity on the Canes line and - in a near carbon copy of Johnson’s try - a cut-out pass to Jack Render gave him the space needed to leap and put the ball down in the left corner before being bundled into touch (12-22). Beharrell’s conversion had the power but lacked the direction as it drifted right of the sticks. Despite that set-back, the next five minutes would see the Canes show their resilience to get back level.

Just two minutes after conceding, some strong running down the left edge saw veteran Liam Welham bust an attempted tackle, leaving his ball-carrying arm free to offload to Hull FC loanee Sully Medforth who leapt over the line to score his first professional try in just his third League One game for the home side (16-22). Jake Sweeting was faced with another tough kick from out wide and whilst the attempt had the legs, it agonisingly bounced back off the near post to deny us being within four points. Liam Welham would go on to provide another assist just two minutes later as the home side spotted a gap down the left edge; some quick passing provided Liam Welham with another opportunity to break the line, sell the dummy to provide a 2-on-1 overlap and pass out to Matty Chrimes who dotted the ball down in the corner to the delight of the home faithful (20-22). Sweeting - faced again with another difficult conversion - slotted the ball comfortably between the sticks to even the scores (22-22).

The game remained even for the next 15 minutes, with the main highlight being a Hunslet try chalked off for a clear obstruction preventing the home defence from making the necessary tackle. Hunslet would however get the match-winning try with just over five minutes to go as the Canes defence telegraphed expectations of a long pass out wide, giving the visitors an opportunity to throw a short pass to Josh Jordan-Roberts who strolled over the line untouched (22-26). Beharrell added the extras from the kicking tee (22-28). The Canes tried to find a final opportunity to level the scores for a second time that afternoon, however the visitors held on and were relieved to hear the full-time hooter ring out around the stadium.

The Canes defeat means they must wait to see the result of today’s fixture between League One Champions and sixth-placed Workington Town to confirm the location of the Elimination Playoff. Should Workington Town beat Oldham or the match ends in a draw, the Canes will travel to Derwent Park in two weeks time. However, if Oldham defeat Workington Town the Canes will host Workington just a month after our penultimate home game of the regular season. We will confirm details of the Elimination Playoff shortly.

Man of the Match (as chosen by our Matchday Sponsor Gowling WLG):
Matty Chrimes

Attendance:
480

Scoring sequence:
4-0, 6-0, 6-4, 6-6, 6-10, 6-12, 6-16, 6-18, 10-18, 12-18, 12-22, 16-22, 20-22, 22-22, 22-26 and 22-28.