Milford Marlins 0 v 26 Hunslet Club Parkside
National Conference League Challenge Trophy Semi Final, Saturday 19 August 2017
Hunslet Club Parkside enjoyed an ultimately convincing and satisfying victory on Saturday afternoon to reach the Challenge Trophy Final for the second year running. In nilling north Leeds and National Conference League Division One rivals Milford Marlins for the second time this season, the Old Boys earned a second consecutive final appearance where they will meet Wigan St Patricks at The Fox’s Biscuit Stadium, Batley on Saturday 23 September. The team will be looking to go one better this time, following last years final defeat at the hands of Rochdale Mayfield, and bring the Challenge Trophy back to South Leeds.
Playing on Milford’s artificial pitch they share with Leeds Rhinos training facility at Kirkstall, Hunslet dominated proceedings from start to finish. They opened the scoring just three minutes into the game with a try from stand off Andy Hullock following a great kick from full back Craig McShane and raced into a 20-0 half time lead which they had no intention of giving up. Hullock’s try was converted by Jamie Fields and was followed up on 15 minutes with a try to Craig Miles, and another conversion from the skipper. A Hullock penalty and a try just before the interval to centre Dale Harris, converted by Hullock brought the first half to a conclusion with the visitors well in control.
It didn’t take long for The Old Boys to extend their lead in the second half with centre Jack Kirmond crossing and Hullock converting to take the score out to 26-0. This try was remarkable in that it came with Parkside down to 11 players with two players having been yellow carded. The Marlins also had two players sin binned during a game in which the intense cross city rivalry was clear throughout to a decent crowd with a sizable contingent who had crossed the river to witness their team’s victory.
Speaking after the game Captain Jamie Fields couldn’t hold back his pride in the performance:
“We knew we would be in for a game as they were not happy with us keeping them scoreless at our place and we all know how hard it is to take being held pointless. Going in at half time 20-0 up we knew that we were in the driving seat and all we had to do is maintain our game management out there.
“In the second half we maybe took our foot of the pedal and our defence had to shine which it did with flying colours! We managed to get over the line in the second half to put the game to bed but all in all a tough semi final, even though the score line doesn’t necessarily show that. I’m proud of the boys and the club reaching back to back finals and promotions is massive reward for the hard work everyone down at the club puts in!”
Man of the Match: Full back Craig McShane showing assured defense throughout and pace and skill in attack.
Teams:
Hunslet Club Parkside: Craig McShane, Omar Alrawi, Dale Harris, Jack Kirmond, Danny Harrison, Andy Hullock, Ryan Gaunt, Luke Pettman, Jamie Bradley, Jamie Fields, Ben Shulver, Ryan Campbell, Craig Miles. Subs: Rocky Price, Carl Briggs, George Clark, Adam Biscomb.
Milford Marlins: Ryan Oxtoby, Matt Brocksom, Tom Wilson, Steve Bacon, Elliot Watmough, Zak Snellgrove, Josh Parle, Eddie Wilson, Andy Barker, Richard Hulme, John Elkington, Dave Warren, James Barker. Subs: Macauley Barron, Louis Morrison, Paul Tharme, Connor Parr.
This post was written by Phil Goodfield using our Create an article for South Leeds Life page.
