Hunslet ARLFC produced a perfect display of wet-weather rugby league combined with stern defence to deny League Leaders Trophy winners West Hull and lift the inaugural National League Premier Division title.
Played in rapidly deteriorating weather conditions, the south Leeds outfit, four-time champions of the previous National Conference League, laid the foundation for glory with a masterclass in toughness, combined with clinical execution with their own opportunities. It was a stirring display of total commitment.
West Hull, who had looked the side to beat for much of a stellar campaign that saw them lose just twice, started with real intent. They threatened early when hooker Ryan Langton was held up over the line under heavy pressure. But it was Hunslet ARLFC who drew first blood on 15 minutes. A wonderfully timed, sweeping pass from stand-off Danny Rowse found winger Caelum Jordan, who dived over in the corner and although Harry Shackleton missed the conversion from wide out, Hunslet ARLFC held a 4–0 lead.
Wests responded immediately and looked certain to level when centre Jack Sanderson broke clear following a Hunslet dropped ball and seemed destined for the line. However, a valiant chase back from Craig McShane resulted in a superb ankle tap that brought Sanderson to ground, forcing the form West Hull man to lose the ball in a game-defining piece of scramble defence. The initial work of starting front rowers Moris Kamano and Jamie Field also laid a significant platform.
Despite the tireless graft of Benn Arbon and Jack Lazenby attempting to spark West Hull into life, and some intelligent kicks from Elliott Jones, Hunslet held firm also denying NCRL Premier Division player of the year Eligh Wilkinson any room. On the half-hour mark, halfback Harry Shackleton zig-zagged his way through, wrongfooting two defenders to score by the posts before adding the conversion himself to make it 10-0.
With the interval approaching, the Hunslet ARLFC pack set ideal field position, allowing official Man of the Match Jack McShane to deliver another killer blow. The influential hooker hit a sharp, short lead line and spun over on 37 minutes. Though the conversion went begging, Hunslet took a commanding 14-0 lead into the break.
As heavy rain intensified throughout a scoreless second half, the contest became an attritional arm-wrestle. West Hull’s task was further compounded by late changes when stand-off Josh Wood and full-back Mason Palmer were forced off with injury - both having been calculated fitness gambles prior to kick-off.
Try as they might against an iron-willed wall, West Hull could find no way through. Their frustration was summed up in the dying moments when a pass near the line from Lazenby was spilled by Goodhand, allowing Hunslet ARLFC to seal a memorable shut-out and spark scenes of joy at the final whistle.
Hunslet ARLFC: Josh McLelland, Caelum Jordan, Alfie Goddard, Craig McShane, George Rayner; Danny Rowse, Harry Shackleton; Moris Kamano, Jack McShane, Jamie Field, Ben Shulver, Harry Dodd, Jaden Barraclough. Subs: Josh Jordan-Roberts, Tommy Corke, Joe Abson, McKenzie Haigh.
Tries: Jordan (15), Shackleton (30), J. McShane (37)
Goals: Shackleton 1/3
West Hull: Mason Palmer, Kieran Masike, Jack Lazenby, Jack Sanderson, Eligh Wilkinson; Josh Wood, Elliott Jones; Benn Arbon, Ryan Langton, Corey Priestman, Harry Hutchinson, Tom Verity, Josh Oliver. Subs: Jack Potter, Oscar Ellerington, Kian Goodhand, Bobby Tyson-Wilson.
Full-time: Hunslet ARLFC 14 West Hull 0
By Dave Parkinson
Photo Credit: Shot by Bamboo
