The opening Kingstone Press League One fixture played out in appalling conditions on a muddy pitch with driving rain throughout, finished in a well earned 10-6 victory for Hunslet RLFC at South Leeds Stadium on Sunday afternoon (5 March 2017).
The poor conditions did not allow any exciting rugby league but both teams deserve credit for the effort and commitment shown. For the home side victory following last week’s Challenge Cup success was built on a gritty and determined defensive display.
Inevitably in the rain and mud handling was difficult with both teams struggling to complete a set, especially in the second period, without the almost inevitable handling error. Hunslet came out just on top, victory being helped by a penetrative kicking game from Danny Ansell who time and again forced the visitors back with big kicks deep into Gloucestershire territory – and that defense.
In a low scoring game it was Hunslet who scored the early points in the 5th minute through Cameron Leeming – who is looking to be an astute signing – crossing wide out following excellent build up work by Jimmy Watson, Danny Ansell and Joel Gibson. Ansell converted with a brilliant kick in the conditions from the touchline. Hunslet’s second try came on 25 minutes and the scorer this time was Ryan Ince, Danny Ansell providing the assist.
Gloucestershire All Golds scored their only try of the game through Jordan Andrade just before half time. Field position for the visitors coming on the back of Hunslet conceding a number of penalties.
The teams went in for a well deserved break with the score 10 – 6 to Hunslet, and that was the final score at full time, the second half yielding no points from either side as neither Hunslet of Gloucestershire succeeded in building any sustained pressure in the awful conditions. Hunslet did have one opportunity to score in the second period but Cameron Leeming was judged to have been held up by the officials in the 70th minute.
This was a victory built on solid defense in conditions where the team’s attacking abilities did not have an opportunity to show themselves. Following on from the nilling of Coventry Bears a week ago this solidity in defense looks to offer the team a good basis on which to build future performances.
Man of the match: Danny Ansell – good hands and an excellent kicking game.
Hunslet RLFC: Watson, Webb, Leeming, Wilson, Ince, Gibson, Ansell, O’Sullivan, Lee, Carbutt, Normington, Broughton, Mackay. Subs: Tebb, Whitehead, Kenga, Walton.
Gloucestershire All Golds: Houghton, Agoro, Brickhill, Williams, Kislingbury, Hyde, Stead, Purslow, Parry, Kidd, Jones, McLean, Elliott. Subs: Mitchell, Andrade, Lloyd-Jones, Walter.
Referee: Tom Crashley
Attendance: 407
This post was written by Phil Goodfield using our Create an article for South Leeds Life page.
