Coopa’s Wish to Walk Fundraising Day at Hunslet Club a Massive Success!
All big winners on a great community day!
Hunslet Club Parkside v Hunslet Old Boys Legends at The Hunslet Club, Saturday 25 February 2017
Saturday saw a brilliant day of activities at The Hunslet Club on Hillidge Road in support of “Coopa’s Wish to Walk”. Held to raise funds to enable Coopa Ellis-Adams who has Celebral Palsy to have the operation and post op physio that she needs to achieve her ambition to be able to walk, the day was a massive and unequivocal success. Coopa’s family have been able to announce that an amazing £16,400 was raised on Saturday – meaning that the £35k target has been raised in just 12 short weeks, a brilliant achievement!
The centrepiece of the day, the much awaited rugby league game between the present day high-flying Hunslet Club Parkside and their predecessors from yesteryear the Hunslet Old Boys Legends was a great success. As Coopa’s dad said in an emotional thank you to everyone involved in helping to organise the day: “All the lads who put a shirt on for both teams – you should be so proud of yourselves. Without you this day could not have happened and the family appreciate it so much.”
Hundreds of supporters lined the touch line in anticipation of top Superleague referee Ben Thaler’s whistle to get the match underway in wintry weather probably more familiar to the Old Boys Legends than their opponents. The game was played in a fantastic spirit with good skills on display from both sides despite the wind and rain. The opening sets were evenly contested but, as might have been expected the younger and fitter Hunslet Club Parkside boys built up a 20-0 lead in a first half with tries to Jack Kirkmond, Andrew Hullock, Craig McShane, and Dale Harris – a long range effort – plus two conversions from Jamie Fields. Danny Harrison, Danny Rowse, crossed for Hunslet Club in the second half with two conversions to Danny Rowse.
The loudest cheer of the game was however saved for the next six points – all scored by 13 year old Jack Briggs for the Legends. Representing the future of Hunslet Club Parkside Jack took the ball from the back of a scrum ten metres out and scampered over under the posts, then landed the conversion to take the score to 32–6. Jack also had a hand in the final score of the game keeping the ball in play before prop forward Sam Thorpe crossed again for the Old Boys Legends. The game came to a fitting conclusion with every player from both squads playing out the final sets.
After the game both teams, families and friends made their way back into the Club for refreshment – light and not so light! – music from 0113 and dance well into the night.
Squads (as announced in the match day programme)
Hunslet Club Parkside: Craig McShane, Jack Kirkmond, Dale Harris, Michael Waite, Danny Harrison, Andrew Hullock, Danny Rowse, Adam Biscomb, Jamie Bradley, Jamie Fields, Kieron Murphy, Jamie Milburn, Craig Miles, Ryan Gaunt, Ben Shulver, James Healy, Luke Pettman, Mackenzie Tennant, Rocky Price, Chris Boyce, Lewis Buxton, Ben Thorpe, Arron Pratt, Chris Thompson, Dean Bowles, Luke Medley, Charlie Magee, Karl Hargreaves, Jake Southern, Tom Boardman..
Coaches: Paul McShane and Martin Rowse.
Hunslet Old Boys Legends: Alwyn Whittaker, Damian Beggs, Glenn Cunny, Micky Davies, Steve Nichol, Luke O’Malley, Tony Dobb, Wayne Foster, Wayne Adams, Darrell Robinson, Richard Pickersgill, Ryan Bew, Carl Briggs, Mark Holmes, Dave Sadler, Simon Ramsden, Amraz Hamid, James Silverblade, Mark Cass, Danny O’Connor, Sam Thorpe, Ben Lawton, Martin O’Malley, Craig Jones, Steve Miller, Chris Houlker, Matthew Stocks, Mick Starsky, Chris Nicholson, Jason Shipley, plus special guest Jack Briggs.
Coaches: Kevin Bew and Tom Saunders.
This post was written by Phil Goodfield using our Create an article for South Leeds Life page.
