Hunslet RLFC 12-46 Halifax Panthers
Hunslet lost out to top of the table Halifax at the South Leeds Stadium last night (11 April 2025).
Despite a strong showing in the first half with new signing Lee Gaskell particularly impressive, The Parksiders had no possession in the second period, and with a 0-10 penalty count eventually tired in defence to concede six Halifax tries.
Still missing Captain Matty Beharrell and Aussie signing Kobe Rugless, Hunslet welcomed a host of injured players back, but lost Harvey Hallas, Greg Eden and Noah Booth during the week disrupting preparation.
From the off former Super League man Lee Gaskell looked impressive. His kicking was causing havoc in the Halifax defence and after forcing two drop outs a precise Gaskell chip was followed up by Ethan Wood and Billy Jowitt. Wood getting there first to score, Jowitt converting after. 6-0 after 15 minutes.
Halifax had threatened early on, but Hunslet’s defence was solid. On 19 minutes though, a defender shot out of the line and Halifax were able to get Ben Tibbs over in the left hand corner. Louis Jouffret converting 6-6.
Hunslet attacked again, but a loose pass meant Halifax could work their way back up the pitch. A winding Halifax run looked to be under control but with no one committing it took a Billy Jowitt try saver to avoid a try. However a quick ball to the right meant James Saltonstall could easily score in the corner and Halifax led 6-10 after 29 minutes.
Mackenzie Scurr and Billy Jowitt both looked threatening, and as Hunslet attacked Lachy Hanneghan and Jordan Syme both went close. But frustratingly Hunslet conceded a penalty on the hooter for a high tackle. Jouffret converting to give Halifax a 6-12 lead at the break.
A good start to the second period could get Hunslet back in the game, but Halifax made good metres and after conceding two penalties Adam Tangata went over for a try on only 42 minutes, converted by Jouffret. 6-18
Jimmy Watson and Liam Welham had held the Hunslet line, but after Hunslet fumbled the ball James Saltonstall got his second to make it 6-22.
Penalties were killing Hunslet, and on 61 minutes Bradley Graham made it 6-28 with Jouffret converting. Minutes later James Woodburn-Hall sliced through a tired defence and with conversion it was 6-34.
Hunslet had made it extra hard for themselves by now as Jordan Syme had been sent to the sin-bin, and with another penalty and another player (Keelan Foster) in the sin-bin Halifax broke through for Jack Hansen to score. 6-40 with Jouffret converting.
As the game entered added time after another penalty, Bradley Graham got his second try for Halifax before Billy Jowitt added a consolation try for Hunslet after another disruptive Gaskell kick.
So 12-46 at the full-time hooter and Hunslet Head Coach Dean Muir has much to ponder.
On debut Lee Gaskell was impressive and received the Sponsors Player of the match, whilst Mackenzie Scurr got the vote from the Supporters. It was nice to see Cam Berry back in the fold, whilst Jowitt and Sam Campbell-Webb also had good matches.
But in the end discipline cost Hunslet in the second half. You can’t win matches without the ball and inevitably you will ship tries after defending for so long. But this season is a learning curve for Hunslet and there are signs that this team may challenge as the season goes on.
Hunslet RLFC: Watson, Nichol, Welham, Jowitt, Scurr, Hanneghan, Gaskell, Larroyer, Berry, Foster, Wood, Gilmore, Fletcher. Interchanges: Syme, O’Hanlon, Campbell, Yei. 18th player: Whitmore.
Halifax Panthers: Jouffret, Tibbs, Restall, Bradley Graham, Saltonstall, Woodburn-Hall, Hansen, Dixon, Inman, Douglas, McCarron, Tangata, Davies. Interchanges: O’Brian, McComb, Fairbank, Hird. 18th player: Charlie Graham.
Photo: Ethan Wood beats Billy Jowitt to score Hunslet’s first try. Credit: Craig Irvine
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