Hunslet RLFC ran out convincing winners against Coventry Bears in Sunday’s 3rd Round Ladbrokes Challenge Cup tie at South Leeds Stadium (26 February 2017). Winning 34-0, Head Coach James Coyle was very pleased with the defensive efforts shown by his players in preventing keen opponents from scoring any points.
Photos by Phoenix Photography
Coyle had made several changes after last week’s lack lustre performance in losing heavily to Newcastle Thunder and got the response he was looking for with a much improved effort from his team.
It took just 8 minutes for Hunslet to take the lead when hooker Jack Lee – lively throughout – scooted over from close range. A succesful conversion from Danny Ansell took the score to 6-0. The second Hunslet try came on 22 minutes from Marcus Webb following good handling along the line with the final pass coming from returning full back Jimmy Watson. On 34 minutes Cameron Leeming showed good skill to go over for the Parksiders third try scored this time through debutant Cameron Leeming. Ansell’s conversion taking the score to 16-0 which was the score going into the half time break.
It took just 9 minutes of the second half before Hunslet were over again, this time stand off Joel Gibson scoring just to the left of the posts. This was an excellent effort involving good handling and support play and a surging run from second row Jake Normington. Ansell added the extras taking the score to 22-0.
The Bears had a chance to open their scoring soon after Gibson’s try but the final pass out wide went to ground. A Hunslet break also lead to nought when Marcus Webb raced away down the wing only to be brought back by a forward pass call.
A serious leg injury to Coventry’s Joel James lead to a long break in play, but the home side finished the match with a flourish going over twice in the final two minutes. First it was the turn of Liam Mackay to score when a well placed kick rebounded off the posts wrong footing the Bears defense. Ansell converted again for 28-0 and moments before the final hooter Leeming scored his second try of the match out on the left – well converted by Ansell.
Talking to BBC Radio Leeds after the game James Coyle said that the coaching staff had questioned the team’s attitude and intensity especially following last week’s loss and that the team had responded well. “It wasn’t perfect but we’ve set ourselves a platform and there is no reason why we can’t kick on”. Coyle added that the team had been training well but had not performed on game day until today, “Today was a massive improvement on previous performances.”
This victory was based on fine performances from a number of players – the return of Jimmy Watson brought solidity to the last line of defense and half backs Gibson and Ansell worked with Jack Lee to take good advantage of the platform laid down by a number of strong showings up front.
Teams
Hunslet RLFC: Jimmy Watson, Ryan Ince, Cameron Leeming, Aston Wilson, Marcus Webb, Joel Gibson, Danny Ansell, Michael Haley, Jack Lee, Jack Coventry, Jake Normington, Liam Mackay, Nyle Flynn. Subs: Matthew Tebb, Jose Kenga, Matt Carbutt, Jack Walton.
Coventry Bears: Charlie Omara, Hayden Freeman, Jason Bass, Callan Becket, Jamahl Hunte, Joe Prior, Joel James, John Aldred, Billy Gaylor, Jack Morrison, Matthew Reid, Chris Barratt, Kieran Sherrat. Subs: Cian Timmins, Daniel Glover, James Geurtjens, Zach Johnson.
Referee: S Mikalauskas
This post was written by Phil Goodfield using our Create an article for South Leeds Life page.
