Hunslet RLFC 18-19 Whitehaven RLFC
Hunslet RLFC lost another close game to a promotion rival at the South Leeds Stadium yesterday (30 April 2017) Whitehaven grabbing the spoils with a late drop goal.
The game could have gone either way, but on balance Whitehaven probably deserved the victory.
All photos by Paul Johnson, Phoenix Photography
The visitors had started out well having an early try disallowed before Shackley barged over from close range. The conversion making it 0-6.
But after a Whitehaven mistake from a Danny Ansell kick, Aston Wilson made good ground before Jake Normington went over for Hunslet on the left, the kick levelling it up at 6-6.
Whitehaven showed though what basic rugby can do, passing the ball along the line to put the right wing Taylor over in the corner, no conversion but lively Haven stand-off Roper cut through the Hunslet ranks five minutes later to score under the posts. The kick made it 6-16.
Just before half time the game took a twist when Roper was sin-binned for a professional foul, giving Hunslet a man advantage. They quickly grabbed it when Nyle Flynn fed George Flanagan who reached over on his back to score. Although Whitehaven had another try disallowed on the hooter, they only led at the break by 12-16.
Hunslet were keen to start the second half well, still having a man advantage, and it was Flanagan again who provided the spark launching an attack that scattered the Haven defence. Quick hands and a chip kick from Ansell saw Webb go over in the corner, and with Joe Sanderson’s conversion Hunslet lead for the first time 18-16.
The re-introduction of Roper though levelled things up and a penalty kick made it all square at 18-18.
Both teams had chances to edge into the lead, but it was Roper for Whitehaven that drop-kicked the winner sending a happy and vocal Haven support back home to Cumbria.
Hunslet coach James Coyle will need to instil in his team a winning mentality if they are to challenge for promotion this year, at the moment they are falling short in the big games.
This post was written by Ian Pickles using our Create an article for South Leeds Life page.
