Hunslet RLFC showed strength to hold off a challenge from the North Wales Crusaders when they visited South Leeds Stadium this afternoon (Sunday 7 May 2017).
Hunslet let the Crusaders back into the game after a flying start, but retook the lead before half time and extended it in the second half to finish 36-26 winners and bag the two points.
Hunslet opened the scoring just two minutes in when Jimmy Watson exploited a gap to score. The Crusaders came straight back, but solid defence held Johnson up over the line.
Hunslet extended their lead on 11 minutes when Lewis Reed went over from close range. The try was converted by Danny Ansell. 3 minutes later Jake Norminton powered through the Crusaders line. The kick was missed but the score was 14-0.
Ryan Smith hit back for North Wales on 17 minutes when he was put in by Bloomfield. Tommy Johnson kicked the extras to make the score 14-6.
On 23 minutes North Wales further cut the lead when Daniel Price capitalised on a high kick to the corner. 4 minutes later they went ahead when Hunslet conceded a penalty under their posts. Ryan Millington crossed the whitewash and with the extras the Crusaders took a 14-16 lead.
Hunslet replied through Cameron Leeming and George Flanagan on 30 and 36 minutes and they went in 24-16 up at half time.
North Wales scored 4 minutes into the second half through Earl Hurst.
Flanagan scored his second try of the afternoon on 47 minutes and Danny Ansell scored another Hunslet try on 52 minutes. Ansell converted both tries to take Hunslet’s lead to 36-20.
On 69 Crusaders scored again through Jack Hansen 36-24. Tommy Johnson’s conversion kick took his points tally for North Wales to 1,000 points. But the Crusaders were not able to
Final score 36-26
Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, Hunslet coach James Coyle admitted to being disappointed with the team’s performance, despite the win. He was happy with the start, but criticised his players for relaxing mentally and allowing North Wales back into the game.
“To be honest, after the way ewe’ve trained and the way we started the game, I’m probably more disappointed today than I was last week.” (when Hunslet lost by a point to Coyle’s old club Whitehaven).
“We need to be miles better next time out.” He added.
Teams:
Hunslet RLFC: Jimmy Watson, Cameron Leeming, Mufaro Mvududu, Aston Wilson, Marcus Webb, Joe Sanderson, Danny Ansell, Michael Haley, Matthew Tebb, Lewis Reed, Jake Normington, Brooke Broughton, Liam Mackay. Subs: George Flanagan, Jose Kenga, Jack Coventry, Nyle Flynn.
North Wales Crusaders: Thomas Johnson, Daniel Price, Callum Mulkeen, Earl Hurst, Dale Bloomfield, Jack Hansen, Ryan Smith, Jon Walker, Lee Hudson, Alex Davidson, Jack Houghton, Simon Atherton, James Dandy. Subs: Aaron Moore, Ryan Millington, Warren Thompson, Blake Turner.
