Keighley Cougars 6-20 Hunslet RLFC
Hunslet won the League 1 play-offs at Cougar Park today (6 October 2024) with a defensive display worthy of successes of old.
Going into the game as underdogs, The Parksiders tackled Keighley out of the game and scored at crucial points to see Captain Matty Beharrell lift the Trophy in front of the jubilant away support.
Hunslet now have one more hurdle, a winner takes all game next Sunday away to Swinton Lions to see who will play in the Championship next year.
A sizeable crowd saw Hunslet take the initiative from the off. But with handling mistakes creeping in the big Keighley pack set about their work.
Hunslet’s defence absorbed the attacks, but more mistakes meant more pressure and after Aaron Levy saved a certain try with a knock-down it looked like cracks may appear in the Hunslet defence, but no The Parksiders were solid and on 13 minutes they registered the opening try. Whitmore and Syme combined to set Beharrell up to feed Flanagan, then Turner, then Ferreira who slipped the ball inside for Ethan Wood to score a brilliant team try. 0-6
Both sides made handling errors, but with Mark Ioane looking a certain scorer for Keighley, that Hunslet defence held firm again.
Although Matty Beharrell missed a penalty for a late shot, Michael Knowles came close to an inch perfect kick for Alfie Goddard (Junior Sa’u saved the day). But on 29 minutes Hunslet struck again. Quick hands to the right involving Beharrell and Knowles saw George Flanagan come into the line. Goddard drew his man and put Mackenzie Turner over in the corner. 0-10
Keighley were now making mistakes. Oscar Thomas was tackled into touch, and Beharrell and Flanagan went close for the visitors.
On 36 minutes Hunslet stretched their lead further as Beharrell kicked a penalty to make it 0-12 and George Flanagan senior was sin-binned for Cougars for talking out of line.
Although Keighley were down to 12 men they finished the half with a good chance as former Hunslet man Adam Ryder was held up by great defence. But on the hooter it was the visitors who entered the sheds happiest leading 0-12.
The second half started with Keighley still down to 12 men and Hunslet on the attack. A Flanagan kick caused trouble, but the ref blew for offside and Keighley survived.
An injury to Aaron Levy meant Hunslet lost a big player in defence, but although Keighley (now back to a full complement) started to attack, they either over-played or the Hunslet defence read the play.
With the crowd behind them though the Cougars started to look dangerous. Adam Ryder knocked-on with the line open before on 55 minutes after a few failed attempts George Flanagan Senior snuck over by the posts. Miller converting 6-12
Now Hunslet had to weather the storm as moments later Adam Ryder looked to have scored before the Ref ruled a double movement.
But Hunslet’s defence won the day again, and back up the field Matty Beharrell took another 2 points for a high shot 6-14.
More than a score away Keighley’s heads dropped, and with Cam Berry finding space for Hunslet they threatened again. Matty Beharrell came close to scoring on 67 minutes before slipping the ball out to Matty Fletcher who sent a long ball out to Jack Render, the winger expertly squeezing in the corner. 6-18
All the Parksiders had to do now was hang on. Michael Knowles attempted a one–pointer, but even though the attempt went wide the whole Hunslet team tackled Oscar Thomas into touch sparking a fiery touchline encounter.
The home side were now losing their heads and after Lewis Hatton was sent off Matty Beharrell took an easy 2 points to stretch Hunslet’s lead to 6-20.
Keighley tried desperately to score, but Jack Render and Jude Ferreira were both present to save the day and on the hooter there was only one team worthy of the victory.
The work put in by Coach Dean Muir and his Back Room Staff payed off today. The Parksiders have hit form when it mattered wining at Rochdale and Keighley in the play-offs. They now have to get themselves up again for another big test next week at Swinton, but if today’s anything to go by the Championship Club will write them off at their peril.
Beharrell and Knowles were superb moving the team around today, but it’s no overstatement to say every player was Man of the Match.
Hunslet RLFC: Flanagan, Turner, Goddard, Ferreira, Render, Knowles, Beharrell, Carr, Whitmore, Fletcher, Wood, Levy, Syme. Interchanges: Berry, Hallas, Wray, O’Hanlon. 18th player: Rhodes.
Keighley Cougars: Thomas, Walkley, Ryder, Robson, Sa’u, Dean, Miller, Maher, Brown, Revell, Lanskey, Lynam, Parker. Interchanges: Flanagan, Ioane, Hatton, England. 18th player: Schofield.
All photos: Craig Irvine
