Reflecting in the immediate aftermath of Hensingham's 16-12 loss at Orrell St James in the NCRL's Cross Conference Play-Offs, head coach Andrew Smith praised the character of his side following a couple of recent displays that had fallen below their usual standards.
"The word 'spirited' is probably right," Smith said. "I asked for the attitude, effort, and commitment to be bang on. We were marked as underdogs from the start - nobody really expected us to come down and put a performance in. We were well and truly in that game and it’s probably one that we could have snatched late on."
Despite facing a narrow pitch and missing key figures - including last year’s NCRL Young Player of the Year, Fletcher Holgate, alongside several frontline forward options - Hensingham dictated much of the early proceedings. Pinned by a disciplined kicking game and a relentless defensive chase, Orrell St James struggled to build momentum during a first half largely dominated by the visitors.
A major catalyst for that early success came through the forward pack. Veteran prop Jordy Thompson, whose extensive experience with Whitehaven and Workington has proven invaluable both on and off the field, led superbly.
"It’s not just what Jordy brings on the field, it’s the standards and experience he brings off it," noted Smith. "It was a challenge I gave to my forwards at training on Thursday. I knew it was going to be a battle. It’s an absolute testament to the lads who came in and put in a really big shift. For a large majority of the first half, we were on top off the back of the platform they set."
Hensingham’s attacking spark once again came via Dylan Bragg. The NCRL top points scorer showcased the vision that has made him a standout across the league this term, creating scoring opportunities out of seemingly nothing.
Smith was quick to highlight Bragg’s team-first mentality while crediting the squad that enables him to flourish.
"Dylan’s been absolutely fantastic all year. He works hard, organizes well, and has an incredible kicking game. But like Fletcher Holgate last year, it’s also a testament to the other lads who put them in positions to get those awards. Dylan’s versatility and mentality is just 'I’ll do anything for the team.' He’s the sort of player you love to coach."
The loss brings a reflective end to Smith’s first year at the helm after stepping up from his role as assistant to Chris Coward. It has been a baptism of fire in a landscape reshaped by the transition from the National Conference League into regional leagues - a shift that brought significant roster turnover.
Hensingham lost seven core starters from their 2023 campaign to semi-professional deals, retirements, or players opting out of the rigorous demands of regional competition.
"It’s been tough - probably tougher than I expected," Smith admitted. "The change wasn't easy, and going to a local league was hard. We lost seven players from our starting thirteen last year. So if you look at our team compared to last year, it’s a lot of different names and faces."
Despite the hurdles and self-admitted learning curves, Smith remains proud of how his side adapted and fought through to the deep end of the campaign.
"It’s my first year. I’ve probably made some mistakes along the way, but I’ll learn from it. My goal was to make the Play-Offs, and we’ve given ourselves every chance. Looking at that performance, I couldn't ask for any more from the lads. Hopefully, we get back in next year and go a bit further."
By Dave Parkinson
Photo Credit: 13 Pro Am RL
