Jamie Fields hails Hunslet ARLFC Champion spirit after historic 14-0 Grand Final shut-out

To hold a West Hull side that had lost just twice all season to a complete zero in a Grand Final requires more than tactical execution. It takes relentless commitment, ironclad discipline, and an overwhelming sense of pride.

For Hunslet ARLFC Director of Rugby Jamie Fields, the south Leeds club's commanding 14-0 victory at Wakefield to claim the inaugural National League Premier Division title wasn't an overnight fluke. It was the culmination of a year-long journey built on accountability, grit, and redeeming standard-setting traditions.

A year ago, Hunslet missed out on the play-offs following a defining loss to West Hull. Looking back, Fields admits that falling short was the reality check the club desperately needed to rebuild its identity from the ground up.

"We had a difficult year last year and fell short by our own standards - and it hurts," Fields reflected. "When people start coming to Hunslet expecting two points, you’ve got to whip that away straight away. You’ve got to install that pride back, put the dignity back in them, and build resilience.

"This time last year, we went to West Hull in a game where if we’d won, it would have got us in the Play-Offs. That would have been a step too far, and I’m modest enough to admit that. We needed beating that day...we knew this year we were going to hold ourselves accountable. That’s why we were in so early, back since November, and set our standards high from the start."

"You need a bit of grit and determination, otherwise you’ll never be a champion team. I expected that performance - maybe not in the sense of a zero, but I expected that performance."

That groundwork paid dividends in Wakefield.

Anticipating deteriorating weather later in the week, Hunslet purposely tailored their training strategy on their 4G facility to master the wet-weather conditions that ultimately defined the final.

While Hunslet’s execution was clinical - sparked by tries from Caelum Jordan, Harry Shackleton, and Jack McShane - Fields pointed directly to a moment of pure scramble defence when asked where the Grand Final was truly won.

Midway through the first half with West Hull threatening to level, centre Jack Sanderson broke clear and looked destined to score. Out of nowhere, Craig McShane produced a heroic chase back and ankle tap that forced Sanderson to spill the ball.

"Craig McShane won us the game with his effort getting back there on Sanderson," Fields stated. "That changes the game. Craig didn't have to go and chase him back there; we were gone, home and dry. But Craig went back, forced an error, and got us back in yardage.

"We spoke about winning the moments right in front of your face. Craig went and won that one."

As a former front-rower himself, Fields takes personal responsibility for Hunslet ARLFC's forward pack. Facing a formidable West Hull engine room, the middle unit delivered ten weeks of relentless dominance to set up the Grand Fina, and capped it with a flawless effort on the biggest stage.

"I hold my middles accountable, and when they aren't good enough, I let them know," Fields admitted. "For the last 10 weeks, they’ve been outstanding. If any side of mine is going to be something, it’s going to be strong in the middle - that's my bread and butter. We’ve gone after them in training, shoved it in their face, and they’ve kept turning up for one another."

When it came to official Player of the Match honours, Fields had high praise for hooker Jack McShane, whose 80-minute stint encapsulated the heart of the performance.

"My top three were Jamie Field, Jack McShane, and Craig McShane. Jack nicked it just on his 80-minute performance - and wow, his defensive leadership qualities are second to none."

While the trophy today sits proudly in the cabinet, Fields was quick to emphasise that this triumph belongs far beyond just the 17 players who took the field. With a collective effort alongside co-coach Sam Thorpe, chairman Martin Rowse, and former Super League star Paul McShane coming on board, the club’s vision is firmly set on sustainable success from the juniors upward.

"We’ve built it together as a club. We put our time into the juniors as well, so we’ll enjoy tonight as a club, not just as a team. That’s important for the future pathway.

"We’ll enjoy this weekend."

By Dave Parkinson

Photo Credit: Shot by Bamboo