Hunslet frustrated by Cumbrians – South Leeds Life

Hunslet RLFC 24-32 Workington Town

Workington Town won for the second time this season at South Leeds today (July 28, 2024) in a frustrating game for the home side.

Although Hunslet took the points at Derwent Park in early June, the Cumbrians made it two wins from two visits to dent the hosts’ chances of finishing second in Betfred League 1.

A late comeback could have seen Hunslet win but a poor first half left the Parksiders with too much to do and Workington held on for the win.

Although Hunslet lost Josh Jordan-Roberts early to a head injury, they held off Workington’s attacks and took the lead on 11 minutes when a Joe Law break led to a penalty. A quick pass from Jimmy Watson set up Jude Ferreira for the opening score and with a Beharrell conversion Hunslet led 6-0.

So far so good, but after a bit of pressure from Town at the last tackle, Zarrin Galea saved a shot to score and the visitors were back in the game. 6-4

Jack Render and Jimmy Watson had to clear the lines from a great Town tackle, but being forced back, Hunslet had to give up. A quick pass by the Cumbrians sent Liam McNicholas through and with Carl Forber’s conversion Workington led on 25 minutes 6-10.

Although Keenan Tomlinson went close for Hunslet, mistakes and penalties were giving Workington possession and in the 32nd minute they extended their lead when Carl Forber went through to score under the posts. Converting their own try, Workington led by 6-16.

It got worse in the 37th minute when Grant Reid cut in, tricked and slotted under the posts to extend the lead to 6-22. Although a spear attack on Jude Ferreira went unpunished, the half-time hooter was welcome as Hunslet needed to regroup and plan a way back into the match.

Just two minutes into the second half, Hunslet hit back. Cam Berry found a hole near the ruck and fired over, before Paga’s inside ball sent Ethan O’Hanlon through to reduce the arrears (with a Beharrell conversion) to 12-22.

Game on! And with Jimmy Watson and Jude Ferreira making a break it looked like Hunslet might pull away but on 47 minutes after a steal Carl Forber grabbed two points to stretch Workington’s lead back to 12-24.

There was more frustration for Hunslet in the 50th minute as a loose ball ping-ponged before Christopher Taylor pounced to score and stretch Workington’s lead to 12-30. A tough request now for the host.

Hunslet didn’t give up though and a quick touch by Jack Render resulted in a penalty. Close to the Workington line Cam Berry absorbed the defenders and flicked a good ball to Liam Carr who scored his fourth try in three games to make it 18-30 with 20 minutes to play.

Hunslet hit frustratingly from kick-off and Workington had a chance to add another 2 points as Carl Forber made the most of a breakaway penalty. 18-32

Now the game became unstructured as Hunslet had to press. Law and Goddard attacked from a free pass, Beharrell kicked Jack Render but the winger couldn’t gather, and even Harvey Hallas tried a shot and gathered to score.

In the 75th minute the game got interesting when Jude Ferreira got his second of the afternoon, backing up a Beharrell kick and with the conversion it was 24-32, still time for a late push.

From the kick-off Joe Law made a break but the Town defense made a brilliant tackle to stop a certain try and although Ross Whitmore was held up and Jude Ferreira went close, Workington held on for the win. Hunslet had given themselves too much to do.

Although Rochdale lost at Oldham, so Hunslet remain third, this was a chance to put pressure on second-placed Keighley. In the end, Hunslet were their own worst enemy and too many mistakes in the first half cost them.

Jude Ferreira took the Sponsor Man of the Match and Joe Law the Phoenix Bar Supporters Man of the match. There were also good performances from Michael Knowles and Matty Fletcher, but with four games to go, Hunslet need to become consistent as they have been brilliant at times this year, but when it comes to the play-offs, don’t you can afford to have a day off like today.

Hunslet next play Cornwall on Saturday 10th August.

Hunslet RLFC: Watson, Goddard, Law, Ferreira, Render, Paga, Beharrell, Hallas, Whitmore, Knowles, Jordan-Roberts, Tomlinson, Syme, Berry, Carr, O’Hanlon, Fletcher, Coventry.

Workington Town: Galea, Hadfield, Taylor, Brierley, Southward, Burns, Forber, Key, Henson, Walton, Bradley, McNicholas, Stephenson, Archer, Brennan, Reid, Tongia.

Photo: Jude Ferreira opens the scoring. Credit: PBW Media

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