Hunslet Hawks made the long trip to Craven Park in Cumbria only to meet a Barrow Raiders team in great form and lose 44-26 on Sunday (14 August 2016).
Perhaps motivated by the chance to secure their playoff spot, Barrow went out to a 20-0 lead within the first 20 minutes. Hunslet fought back fitfully throughout the rest of the game, but were unable catch the Raiders.
Chris Fleming scored Barrow’s first points with a try in the corner on 4 minutes. Kicker Chris Hankinson was unable to convert. Fleming scored again 4 minutes later taking a long pass to go over easily. Hankinson kicked the extras and then scored himself on 12 minutes, shrugging off Hunslet tacklers and converting his own try.
After 19 minutes Max Wiper scored Barrow’s fourth try and things were looking bleak for the Hawks.
Jack Coventry scored Hunslet’s first try of the afternoon as the half hour approached, 2 minutes after coming on as substitute. Simon Brown kicked the extras.
Barrow replied 6 minutes later through Martin Aspinall, the try converted by Hankinson.
Hunslet then hit back with two quick tries from Ritchie Barnett before half time. Simon Brown was unable to convert either try, but Hunslet had narrowed the gap to two scores. The teams went in at half time with Barrow leading 26-14.
The second half was more scrappy and the Hawks and Raiders traded scores. Barrow scored first through Oliver Wilkes, Hankinson kicking the extras.
George Flanagan replied for Hunslet on 52 minutes, Simon Brown converting, but five minutes later Hankinson scored, and converted, his second try of the game to maintain Barrow’s 18 point advantage.
Hunslet scored again on 62 minutes when Kyran Johnson went over and Brown kicked the goal. The Hawks were back within two scores at 38-26 with 18 minutes to play, but unfortunately that was Hunslet’s last score.
Barrow finished the scoring on 67 minutes with another try from Aspinall, again converted by Hankinson.
Final score: Barrow Raiders 44-26 Hunslet Hawks
Hunslet Hawks are now 7th in Kingstone Press League 1 Super 8s and need to secure points from their last three games to secure a place in the play offs and any chance of promotion.
Teams:
Hunslet Hawks: Jimmy Watson, Stuart Sanderson, Kyran Johnson, Mufaro Mvududu, Richie Barnett, Simon Brown, Danny Ansell, Michael Haley, Jack Lee, Matt Carbutt, Danny Williams, Jake Normington, Craig Robinson. Subs: George Flanagan, Callum Casey, Jack Coventry, Lewis Reed.
Barrow Raiders: Ryan Fieldhouse, Eze Harper, Cameron Pitman, Max Wiper, Chris Fleming, Chris Hankinson, Jamie Dallimore, Joe Bullock, Nathan Mossop, Oliver Wilkes, Andy Litherland, Brad Crellin, Martin Aspinall. Subs: Dan Abram, Anthony Bate, Matty Holmes, Brad Brennan, Karl Ashall.
Attendance: 1,003
Referee: A Sweet
