Hunslet RLFC 10-38 Doncaster RLFC
Hunslet had a sharp lesson in Championship life at the South Leeds Stadium yesterday (9 March 2025) as they succumbed to a strong and experienced Doncaster side.
Although the Dons were only promoted in 2023, they now have that Championship nous that Hunslet need to learn fast.
Light in the forwards The Parksiders had taken Manu Waine on loan from Bradford Bulls who ran well early on, but in defence Hunslet weren’t switched on when on 5 minutes Nouata Pauli found a huge gap to score. 0-4
Three minutes later Doncaster found themselves with a set re-start, and poor defence on Hunslet’s right edge meant the Dons could cut through for Bureta Faraimo to score. Craig Hall converting 0-10
Although Ethan Wood and Manu Waine ran well, Hunslet couldn’t find a way through the Dons defence. Then on 20 minutes after a Hunslet defender rushed out to tackle a static Doncaster man, the ball went loose and Doncaster found an overload on the left hand side for Watson Boas to score. 0-14
You need luck in sport and Hunslet weren’t getting any. The bounce of the ball went Doncaster’s way, but on 25 minutes Reece Lyne took advantage of some weak defence to score to the right. 0-18
Lyne added another 7 minutes later after another set restart, this time Hall converted and it looked an impossible task for the home team at 0-24.
A try before half time though may have changed the impetus, but even though O’Hanlon and Scurr came close Hunslet had more bad luck as Ross Whitmore was taken off with an arm injury attempting to score from close in. 0-24 at the break and a lot to think about.
Hunslet started the second half well, but again weak tackling on Luke Briscoe got Doncaster into Hunslet’s half and The Parksiders suffered a double blow when Lachy Hanneghan was sin-binned for holding down and Matty Beharrell left the field with a shoulder injury.
The Dons extended their lead on 51 minutes when a short ball sent Alex Sutcliffe through to score. Hall converting 0-30
With the game more or less gone on 59 minutes Noah Booth read the play and took a loose ball to sprint 90 metres for a try for the fourth week running. Billy Jowitt converting 6-30.
All that was left to play for was pride for the home side. Hunslet attacked but Doncaster’s defence held firm even after two drop outs. Moments later Hunslet were dropping out and Billy Jowitt’s short kick frustratingly failed to go 10 yards. Craig Hall taking an easy two points 6-32
Former Hunslet man Brad Hey added another for Doncaster on 73 minutes after he swept up a kick that looked to have been knocked-on 6-38, before Hunslet scored a consolation in the dying moments. Mackenzie Scurr broke free and fed Ethan Wood to score in the corner. 10-38 on the hooter.
Injuries to Ross Whitmore and Matty Beharrell add to Hunslet’s problems, but some of the defending was woeful and will have to improve if Hunslet are to survive in the Championship.
Two bright sparks were the return of Matty Fletcher who picked up both Sponsors and Phoenix bar Supporters Player of the Match after coming back from injury and showing some skill and direct running, and Mason Corbett on-loan from Bradford Bulls who was lively.
Dean Muir and his team have a week off next week to prepare their squad for a tough trip to Toulouse. Hopefully some injured bodies will be back and this game put to bed as a bad day at the office.
Hunslet RLFC: Jowitt, Scurr, Eden, Booth, Turner, Hanneghan, Beharrell, Larroyer, Whitmore, Waine, Wood, Levy, Campbell. Interchanges: Hallas, Fletcher, Corbett, O’Hanlon. 18th player: Syme.
Doncaster RLFC: Horne, Briscoe, Lyne, Hey, Faraimo, Hall, Boas, Knowles, Burns, Matagi, Jones, Pauli, McConnell. Interchanges: Smeaton, Sutcliffe, Bowden, Misky. 18th player: Mafi.
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