Hunslet RLFC 20-52 York City Knights
After last week’s narrow defeat to high flying Barrow Raiders new Hunslet coach Gary Thornton came crashing down to earth seeing his side thumped by a buoyant York City Knights at South Leeds Stadium on Sunday (11 June 2017).
Photos by Paul Johnson
The first ten minutes were fairly even, Hunslet twice managing to get over the York line only to be held up. Mufaro Mvadudu being the closer of the two. But when Ed Smith went over for York on 11 minutes after good attacking play it flicked a switch on in York’s confidence and in a whirlwind 20 minutes York scored a further three tries to lead 0-24, scoring at a point a minute.
Hunslet looked dismal in attack and could not stem the York tide, Spears and Batchelor going over for the visitors to give them a 0-36 half time lead.
Whatever coach Thornton said at the break did not work as within a minute of the restart Harris broke through to send Batchelor in under the posts. This did inspire Hunslet at last, who registered their first try on 55 minutes as good passing sent Mackay over to the right. Unfortunately Danny Ansell conversion was unsuccessful 4-42.
A period of good Hunslet play followed (or did York relax knowing they had won) as first Hesketh barged over and then on-loan Michael Hayward scored from a deft Jimmy Watson kick. Joel Gibson converted the second, taking over kicking duties from Danny Ansell.
Again though Hunslet’s defence was left wanting as Morrison went over to the right, and although there was the obligatory George Flanagan try, York had the final say when Jubb went over from close range.
Hunslet are now stranded in eighth place in League 1. They need to find some form if they are to get anything from the season, but they have daunting trip to Toronto Wolfpack coming up soon and a huge game at home to Newcastle Thunder on 16 July.
Man of the Match Matt Carbutt said it all when he said “no one deserves this after a performance like that.” Best to just forget this match and move on to next week.
Squads
Hunslet RLFC: Jimmy Watson, Mufaro Mvududu, Danny Ansell, Michael Haley, Jack Lee, Lewis Reed, Jake Normington, Aston Wilson, Liam Mackay, George Flanagan, Jack Coventry, Joel Gibson, Matt Carbutt, Jack Walton, Cameron Leeming, Marcus Webb, Sean Hesketh, Josh Nathaniel, Michael Hayward.
York City Knights: Joe Batchelor, Jake Butler-Fleming, Harry Carter, Ronan Dixon, Andy Ellis, David Foggin Johnston, Liam Harris, James Haynes, Bradley Hey, Kieran Moran, Jonny Presley, Adam Robinson, Connor Robinson, Ashley Robson, Tom Saxton, Chris Siddons, Ed Smith, Tom Spears, Robert Tyson-Wilson.
This post was written by Ian Pickles using our Create an article for South Leeds Life page.
