Publication4

Address
The Oval Hunslet Leeds LS10 2AT
Chairman David Mawson
Head Coach Jonathan Schofield
Assistant Coach Gary Mclelland
Physiotherapist Shannon Nettleton
Secretary Ainsley Bennett
Treasurer Keith Horner
Media David Shenton
Hunslet Warriors ARLFC
@Hunsletwarrior1

Chairmans Notes
Hunslet Green
Memory Lane
Player Profiles
Fixtures
Player Catch Up

CLOCK FACE MINERS

Hunslet Warriors v Eccles.
National Conference League Division One.
28th September, 2013
Hunslet Warriors knew that this was the first of three remaining games that they must win in order to gain
promotion to NCL Premier Division. Supporters had witnessed what was
arguably one of their finest performances of the season when they came away with a win the previous week
against fellow Leeds team Milford Marlins, so it was a subdued home crowd that saw Eccles take control in
the opening
quarter. The visitors began proceedings very strongly when on just four minutes, a superb kick through gave
stand-off Jordan Parker the opportunity to touch down with scrum half Mike Carney adding the
conversion. Warriors then had the chance to make amends as a loose ball in the scrum gave them the
advantage, but poor handling by the home side saw Carney collect a dropped ball and complete a 60
metre run to go over untouched. He converted his own try to give Eccles a 12 point lead.
It looked as though the Warriors could be in for a shock as Eccles continued to look
dangerous, with hooker Richard Openshaw and prop Mark Jones to the fore. However, on 20 minutes the
home team bounced back, as a well timed kick through from Warriors stand- off Richard Wheelhouse was
scooped up by pacey wingman Jake Corner to cross in the corner. Full back Gary McClelland added the
difficult conversion to reduce the deficit. Warriors were now taking control with props Johnny Dawson,
Lloyd Templeton and centre Karl Featherstone punishing the visitors defence. It was however hard working
loose forward Daryl Gaunt who instigated Warriors’ next try as he plucked from the air an Eccles lofted ball
before offloading to 2nd row Luke Pennington to break down the centre. His inside pass was hacked on for
McClelland to touch down and convert.
With the score now level at twelve all, Eccles once again tested the Warriors defence which saw winger
Chris Hartley and captain Caldon Bravo work hard to contain the
onslaught. It looked like the visitors might gain the lead as Parker burst clear and a certain try was only
thwarted when Man of the Match McClelland raced in with a try saving
tackle. Marking their arrival from the bench young guns Brad Gill, Dale Bateson, and
Adam Acker showed just how much they have come on this year as they showed
character and commitment beyond their years. It was a well judged offload from Gill that saw McClelland
complete his brace as he twisted and turned through the Eccles defence to cross then convert his own try. In
the minutes leading up the break, Pennington worked like a Trojan to keep out the visitors as they once
again attempted to turn the game around. A penalty awarded on the Warrior line went in favour of Eccles,
but it was credit to the Warrior defence that they held firm and went in at half time with a six point lead.
HALF TIME : Hunslet Warriors 18 - Eccles 12

Both sides were still very much in the game with Eccles showing skill and pace which belied their league
position. A kick up field saw McClelland collect and ready to turn and race when a decision was given for
knock on. Eccles took full advantage and centre Eze Harper crossed the whitewash for an unconverted try.
The home team then gained control as Pennington forced the error which saw Warriors use the width of the
field. Passing along the line Bravo offloaded to
centre Mark Cunningham who showed he had too much pace for the visiting
defence as he crossed then ran behind the sticks to touch down. McClelland
converted.
Warriors now looked the brighter of the sides and were rewarded when
McClelland collected from Dawson to dance through the Eccles defence for his
hat trick again he was successful with the conversion.
Supporters were then treated to some entertaining rugby as both sides battled for dominance. Eccles were
denied a chance when hooker Connor Spencer superbly collected a dangerous bounce and Dawson forced the
error as a hard hit on
opposing prop, Mark Jones, saw him lose the ball. The home side were able to
extend their lead as Eccles fell for scrum half Jim Bakers dummied pass which then allowed Warriors’
Pennington to race to the line for a converted try.
With just minutes remaining, and with tension running high, Eccles had prop Mark Thomas sent off for striking
young Warrior Brad Gill. Gill also received his
marching orders for retaliating. It was a one off incident in what had been a good, clean game and supporters
were left wondering if, with just seconds remaining, a verbal warning would not have sufficed.
From the resulting penalty, and with just sixty seconds on the clock, the
outstanding Johnny Dawson collected and added the final try of the game. The safe boot of McClelland made
it seven from seven as he chipped the ball over to bring his points tally for the game to an incredible 26.
FULL TIME: Hunslet Warriors 42 - Eccles 16

Sat 14th March Saddleworth Rangers
Sat 4th April Woolston Rovers
Sat 18th April Wigan St Judes
Sat 2nd May Crosfields
Sat 9th May Barrow Island
Sat 8th August Beverley
Sat 22nd August Clock Face Miners