Hunslet ARLFC 30 vs 10 Heworth ARLFC. NCL Premier Division round 20. Saturday 12.9.26
In the National Premier League Heworth went down 30-10 in a tough encounter at second placed championship title contenders Hunslet ARLFC. The young Villagers side though, earned plaudits from both sets of supporters for a committed and gritty eighty minute display which ensured that their much bigger and more experienced opponents were made to work extremely hard for their success.
The Black and Whites trailed 18-6 at the break but it wasn't until the 59th minute that the South Leeds outfit posted their fifth try which many thought produced a final scoreline which didn't really reflect the superb effort put in by the Villagers.
It all looked ominous for the visitors when the hosts raced into an early 12-0 lead in the opening eleven minutes with tries by prop Moris Kamano and fellow front rower Jamie Field both of which were converted by scrum half Harry Shackleton. On the quarter hour mark the Villagers responded with some enterprising attacking play of their own which gained them some good field position and led to scrum half Noah Handley threading a kick behind the home line and winger Riley Barstow followed up to touch down by the left corner flag. Hooker Jack Sadler added a fine touchline conversion to reduce the deficit to six points. On 27 minutes the home side restored their twelve point advantage with a touchdown by substitute Tommy Corke goaled by Shackleton. The remainder of the half saw the hosts exert a period of strong pressure on the Heworth line but they refused to buckle with some solid defending negating the threat and Hunslet led 18-6 at the break.
The South Leeds outfit came out with renewed intent at the start of the second period and looked likely to score on several occasions but the Villagers to their credit showed a collective will to work for each other to keep them at bay. Something had to give though and on 59 minutes winger George Rayner crossed for their fourth try which was goaled by stand off Danny Rowse to make it 24-6. Heworth were not done however and eight minutes later they again showed what they were capable of after producing some impressive handling which led to Handley sending centre Harrison Briggs through a gap to crash over for an unconverted score. The hosts though had the final word when Corke went over for his second touchdown just a minute from time and Rowse added the extras to seal a 30-10 victory.
Jack Sadler was voted Man of the match for the Villagers in a tremendous all round team performance.
Next Saturday in their final home game Heworth face Oldham outfit Waterhead Warriors at Elmpark Way. (2.30p.m.)
Match report-Dave Ward
Comments