Match Review: Midlands Hurricanes vs Cornwall
A new era in the history of Midlands Rugby League began in fine style as the Hurricanes christened their new home at Alexander Stadium with a comprehensive 40 -6 victory against fellow expansion club Cornwall .
Six unanswered scores in a scintillating first 40 minutes from the home side was lapped up by the 400 plus crowd who showed their appreciation of a masterclass in attacking rugby league from the Hurricanes .
To their credit the visitors launched a spirited fightback in the second half enjoying long periods of possession but they found the Midlands defence in a parsimonious mood , repealing the Cornwall attack with some formidable last line defence .
Elliot Wallis, returning to the club under the dual registration agreement with Castleford was the star of the first half , looking dangerous every time he got the ball in hand and eventually finishing with two tries but he turned villain , nine mins from full time , receiving a red card from referee Kevin Moore for a punch on Cornwalls Charley Bodman after a minor fracas at the play the ball .
With the cameras of the internet channel ‘The Sportsman ‘ covering the game live , Hurricanes line up contained the majority of the new signings made by Coach Richard Squires in the off season and it was one of these , powerhouse centre Macually Hallett who had the honour of scoring the maiden rugby league try at the Alexander. Taking a short Dan Coates pass on the burst, Hallett bounced and spun through a glut of Cornish defenders to crash over .
Ben Stead coolly slotted home the first of his six conversions of the afternoon and the Midlands were rolling .
Four minutes later Steads perfectly weighted cross field chip on the last caused havoc on the visitors try line and Brad Martin was on hand to touch down for the Midlands second , with Stead adding the extras to give a 12-0 scoreline .
With Cornwall barely touching the ball it was only a matter of time for the Midlands to further increase their lead and Dom Flanagan duly obliged with his first ever try in Canes colours , backing up on the shoulder of a Hallett break to score out wide .It was the highlight of a excellent display from the centre turned second row forward who along with fellow forwards Clavering , Moran , Bailey and Dawson made strong yardage all afternoon .
Wallis’s first score came on the quarter hour sneaking in at the corner after the ball came through hands across the line .His second came from an easy take from a poor Cornwall kick on the tackle allowing fellow winger Qareqare to set off mazy run drawing the visitors defence and the simple pass out to Wallis gave him space to use his considerable pace to post a spectacular four pointer down the left .
In between, Hurricanes wily hooker Windley was the quickest to react to a delicate Coates grubber for his first score of the 2023 League One Campaign .
With a half time score of 34-0 to the Hurricanes , the home supporters were confident of seeing more points in the second forty ,but the visitors , buoyed by a considerable following of fans in black and yellow who had made the trip north, had other plans and began the half in determined mood, keeping possession for long periods . A Midlands defence lead by Matty Welham and Club Captain Chris Cullimore and well marshalled by Nathan Hill at full back held firm until the seventy third minute when Nick Slaney finished off a delightful Cornwall move to prevent the whitewash , with Adam Rusling adding a towering touchline conversion.
Despite being reduced to twelve men after Wallis’s indiscretion the Hurricanes still weren’t finished and produced probably the try of the game to finish off a memorable afternoon in their new home .
With everyone in the ground expecting a final kick on the 5th ,Stead flipped the ball out to Welham who even when surrounded by defenders put out an outrageous back flick pass to the onrushing Quarequare.The winger with little room to work in ,could have gone for glory but unselfishly got the ball back inside to man of the match Welham who touched down with a spectacular forward roll to seal the Midlands first league points of the season .
Hurricanes:, Hill, Wallis, Welham, Hallett, Qareqare, Coates, Stead, Moran, Windley, Clavering, Dawson, Flanaghan, Martin. Interchange: Bailey, Cullimore, Dawson, Gilbey
Tries: Hallett (2), Martin (8), Flanaghan (11), Wallis (15, 30, Windley (21), Welham (75)
Goals: Stead 7/8
Red card: Wallis (71) punching
Cornwall: Whitton, Slaney, Carter, Ashton, Aaronson, Brown, Rusling, Ray, Singleton, Bolger, Cullen, Bodman, Lloyd. Interchange: Boots, Dimech, Prisk, Nichol
Tries: Slaney (72) Goals: Rusling 1/1
Man of the Match - Matt Welham
Referee: Kevin Moore
Attendance: 453
