Match Report: North Wales Crusaders 16-46 Hunslet RLFCMatch Report: North Wales Crusaders 16-46 Hunslet RLFC In a hard-fought encounter, Hunslet RLFC emerged victorious with a convincing 46-16 win over the North Wales Crusaders. Despite a tight first half, Hunslet dominated the second and secured a well-deserved victory. First Half The Crusaders drew first blood in the sixth minute when Rob Massam scored after taking a high kick. Hunslet responded with a try from Jack Render in the 15th minute, leveling the scores. However, Crusaders regained the lead in the 29th minute when Massam scored again. Second Half Hunslet shifted gears in the second half, unleashing a relentless attack. Cam Berry’s try in the 45th minute was followed by two quick tries from Render, who completed a hat-trick. Aaron Levy set up Joe Law for another try, extending the lead to 30-10. Dominant Hunslet With the Crusaders reeling, Hunslet continued to pile on the pressure. Render scored again in the 65th minute, and Law notched his second in the 73rd minute. A late try from Liam Carr sealed the win for Hunslet. North Wales’ Consolation Despite their struggles, the Crusaders managed to salvage some pride in the 80th minute when Lane scored a consolation try. Reid added the extras to bring the final score to 46-16 in Hunslet’s favor. Impressive Performers Jack Render’s hat-trick earned him the man of the match award, while Joe Law, Michael Knowles, and Ross Whitmore also had outstanding performances. Next Fixture Hunslet remains third in the Betfred League 1 table and will host Workington Town next Sunday, July 28, at 3pm. As they approach the final stretch of the season, they will need to maintain their momentum to secure a strong finish.
North Wales Crusaders 16-46 Hunslet RLFC
Hunslet played 40 minutes of their best rugby of the season at Eirias Stadium in Colwyn Bay today (21 July 2024) to convincingly win a match that looked deadlocked at half-time.
North Wales Crusaders have proven to be a tough opponent in recent seasons and under the guidance of coach Carl Forster they were ready for this match from the start.
Hunslet held firm in the early stages of the game but an old ghost came back to haunt them when Rob Massam (returning from retirement) took a high kick to put Crusaders ahead after 6 minutes. 4-0
Crusaders looked to have extended their lead moments later, but Cole Oakley’s effort was disallowed for obstruction.
Hunslet were starting to get into the game though and after Jordan Paga couldn’t quite connect with a Matty Beharrell kick, a Crusaders error gave Hunslet a good field position. Quick hands-on in the 15th minute sent Jack Render towards the corner, a try looked unlikely but the big winger was too strong and held off the defence to score. Beharrell converts 4-6
Crusaders levelled moments later when Reid took 2 points for a high tackle, then in the 29th minute a kick was left behind the Hunslet defence and Rob Massam scored again. 10-6
North Wales may have had the lead, but in the 32nd minute, with the Crusaders on the attack, loaned winger Noah Booth saw the situation and intercepted the ball to sprint 90 metres and score. 10-12 after Beharrell scored.
Although Reid missed a chance to equalise for the Crusaders when his penalty went wide, there was nothing left in it as the teams headed to the dressing rooms for half-time. 10-12
The second half started with Hunslet in the lead. In the 45th minute, after Hunslet’s second penalty of the game, Cam Berry fired over from close range to score. Three minutes later, a drive from Jack Coventry gave Beharrell Ferreira free play. The centre brilliantly pulled the defence and sent Jack Render over for his second of the afternoon. Both efforts were converted by Matty Beharrell 10-24
The Crusaders were in shock and although Hunslet had a brief scare when an attacking kick hit the post, the Parksiders didn’t let their foot off the gas pedal.
Jude Ferreira was briefly held, but on 58 minutes from another penalty, quick hands allowed Aaron Levy to put Joe Law in a gap to score. Beharrell converted 10-30.
With both Cam Berry and Aaron Levy leaving the field injured, Hunslet struck again, this time with a Matty Beharrell kick plucked out of the air by Jack Render in the 65th minute, allowing the wingman to score one of his trademark tries and complete his hat-trick. 10-34
Things got worse for the home side when Davies was sent to the penalty box and in the 73rd minute another Beharrell effort was cleared back by Joe Law, who scored his second of the afternoon, converted by Michael Knowles. 10-40
The restart was dead as Crusaders began to look for a final sprint. Noah Booth went close in the right corner before, in the 78th minute, Liam Carr beat tacklers off the ground to score another good try after coming off the bench, converted by Knowles. 10-46
Although both Paga and Ferreira went close for Hunslet, it was North Wales who had the final say when Lane found a hole to score in the 80th minute, with Reid adding the extras. 16-46
But at the final whistle it was a smile on the faces of the travelling Hunslet faithful. With George Flanagan injured and Matty Fletcher absent through suspension there is still talent to add to this team and a potential headache for Coach Dean Muir in future games as the battle for places heats up.
Jack Render was voted Man of the Match by the supporters’ bus for his hat-trick, but Joe Law, Michael Knowles and Ross Whitmore also performed excellently.
Hunslet remain third in the Betfred League 1 table and host Workington Town next Sunday (July 28) at 3pm as they enter their final five league games of the season.
Ploughing
Hunslet RLFC: Watson, Booth, Law, Ferreira, Render, Paga, Beharrell, Hallas, Whitmore, Knowles, Jordan-Roberts, Levy, Syme, Berry, Carr, O’Hanlon, Coventry, Tomlinson.
North Wales Crusaders: Lane, Massam, Taylor, Smith, Thewliss, Moss, Coates, Evans, Baldwin, Barratt, Oakley, Davies, Foster, Carr, Baker, Costello, Holmes.
Photo: Jack Render and Jude Ferreira. Credit: Phil Hodgson
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