Hunslet RLFC 12-20 Dewsbury Rams
Hunslet’s 2026 Championship season got off to a poor start at a foggy South Leeds Stadium yesterday (18 January 2026) when a wily Rams side clawed their way back into the game after Hunslet started like a house on fire.
A new look Parksiders got off to a flying start when Myles Harrop broke down the left hand side, fed Coby Nichol who passed to Billy Jowitt. Although the Dewsbury defence stopped the move the resulting play ended when Lee Gaskell put a precision kick for Mo Agoro to score. Jowitt converted and it was 6-0 after only a minute.
More attacks came as Gaskell again tried to find Agoro on the right wing, but on 8 minutes Dewsbury got a lucky break when a Lee Gaskell kick was charged down and Bailey O’Connor won the foot race to the ball to score. Jacob Hookem converting 6-6.
Dewsbury were making mistakes and after knocking-on 20 yards out from their line Gaskell put out a long ball for Agoro to score his second of the afternoon. Jowitt converting. 12-6 after only 11 minutes.
After a frenetic start the game started to become a wrestle in the middle. Although Harrop came close to putting Nichol through, Jowitt and Agoro had to make try saving tackles as Dewsbury started to come into the game.
After a scuffle the Rams were reduced to 12 men, but Hunslet refused to take a Penalty kick that was kickable and Dewsbury edged their way towards Hunslet’s line.
Almost on the hooter after some pressure Jack McShane wiggled his way over and Hookem converted, and it was all square at the break. 12-12.
Dewsbury started the second half ferociously and Hunslet (who had looked threatening on the flanks) started to play more down the middle.
The penalty count wasn’t helping the home team’s cause. They had had the lion’s share in the first half, but were now being constantly penalised in a very stop/start game.
Jacob Hookem took advantage of this for the Rams, kicking penalties on 42 and 45 minutes. 12-16.
Constant Rams pressure was alleviated when Gaskell picked up a loose ball, but after two Hunslet penalties piggy backed them up the pitch they couldn’t take advantage when the ball was spilled on the first tackle.
Another Dewsbury penalty by Hookem on 54 minutes made it 12-18, but when Hunslet had penalties in a similar position they turned them down and either knocked-on or threw out a badly judged pass early in the tackle count.
Another Hookem penalty wrapped up the game for Dewsbury, but for Hunslet it was a frustrating afternoon. What started so well ended with Hunslet short on ideas. Dewsbury turned the game into a style they wanted to play and Hunslet went away from their early game plan, but having said that it is early in the season and there are chinks of light for The Parksiders.
Eddie Battye and Billy Jowitt were impressive, as was Tricks of the Trade Sponsors Man of the Match Myles Harrop, and there were two tries for Phoenix Bar Supporters Man of the Match Mo Agoro.
Head Coach Kyle Trout will have to raise his troops as Hunslet have a potential banana skin next week away to Stanningley ARLFC in the Challenge Cup (Kick off TBC).
Hunslet RLFC: Jowitt, Nichol, Harrop, Dawson-Jones, Agoro, Gaskell, Ward, Hallas, Aldridge, Foster, Gilmore, Darcy Simpson, Battye. Interchanges: Whittel, Larroyer, Morgan, O’Hanlon. 18th player: Carr.
Dewsbury Rams: Craig McShane, Delany, O’Conner, Senior, Copland, Coates, Hookem, Nelmes, Jack McShane, Bateman, Summers, Graham, Collinson. Interchanges: Parkinson, Tomlinson, Briggs, Bentley. 18th player: Roberts.
Photo: Billy Jowitt tests the Dewsbury defence. Credit: Zach Berg
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