Hawks lose in a shootout at Batley

Another disappointing second half collapse saw the Hawks miss the opportunity to pick up points at Batley today (19 July 2015).

Hunslet Hawks travelled to local rivals the Batley Bulldogs needing to put recent defeats to high flying clubs behind them and collect some valuable points as they fend off relegation troubles. Unfortunately it was not to be as and evenly matched shoot out in the first half gave way to the all too familiar pattern as Batley scored three tries in quick succession after half time.

All photos by Paul Butterfield

Hunslet opened the scoring after fifteen minutes through Casey. Batley replied twice to take the lead as first Brown went over in the corner on 19 minutes and then Blake scored three minutes later. Hunslet replied to retake the lead on 27 when Lee scored to take the score to 10-12. Another Hunslet try from Watson four minutes later stretched the lead to 10-18.

Batley replied with two tries before half time. First Hesketh ran over from 10 metres out with his first touch of the ball, then Lillycrop burst through to give the Bulldogs a 22-18 lead at the break.

Batley took the decisive lead early in the second half. Three tries in 11 minutes from Brown, Day and Squires gave the Bulldogs a 20 point advantage. Although the Hawks replied on 62 through Yates, Chandler scored for Batley six minutes later to maintain that lead. Hunslet had one more go with Lee scoring a try five minutes from the hooter, but Leatherbarrow, who kicked six goals during the match, finished the scoring by kicking a drop goal on 78 minutes.

Final score: Batley Bulldogs 45-28 Hunslet Hawks

As they go into the last game of the regular season, Hunslet Hawks have sunk to 11th in the Kingstone Press Championship with 10 points from their 22 games. Next week the Hawks face Workington Town, who beat the London Broncos today.

Hunslet will need a good result to take some confidence into the Super 8s to ensure they remain playing in the Championship next season.

 

TEAMS

Hunslet Hawks:  Watson, Agoro, Maun, Gee, Barnett, Brown, Kain, Yates, Lee, Haley, Casey, Mackay, Mulherne   Interchange: Flanagan, Castle, Grimshaw, Trout

Batley Bulldogs:  Campbell, Reittie, Ainscough, Squires, Brown, Southernwood, Leatherbarrow, Hirst, Blake, Rowe, Day, Scott, Chandler   Interchange: Nicholson, Hesketh, Lillycrop, Brown