Photo: Ainsley Bennett

However, Hunslet, having felt the full force of Thornhill in last season’s competition, to the tune of a 0-40 hammering, really had something to prove this year.

Both teams took to the field, with all the players looking pumped up for the game. A good crowd had descended on Warrior Park and a loud cheer went up as Thornhill kicked off.

Hunslet returned the ball with full force, getting to 5th and last and putting a good kick in. Now it was Thornhill’s turn to show what they were made of with their first touch of the ball. Nerves showed early and they knocked on at the 4th tackle.

Hunslet came again only to run into touch early into the tackle count. Thornhill now finding their rhythm got repeat sets but failed to take advantage. This was the general flow of the game for the next 10 minutes or so, both teams manoeuvring around the pitch, like a prize fighter in a ring, trying to find his opponent’s weakness, but never quite landing the knock out punch.

With 12 minutes on the clock Hunslet had a try disallowed after strong running from Chloe Brown and Lana McCabe saw a kick from Gail johnson find Chloe Brown off side.

Photo: Ainsley Bennett

The penalty count now started to climb with both teams finding it difficult to keep possession. Strong running from Thornhill and quick feet from Bethan Oates, they were soon applying pressures on the Hunslet try line only to knock on 5 yards short. Amazing tackling from Aimee McVitee kept Thornhill out again as they kept trying to break down the Hunslet defence.

Hunslet mounted their own attack, with good running from Erica Zanre, Lana McCabe and Hayley Portrey Hunslet had the try line in sight, a good kick and Thornhill fumbled the ball to give Hunslet the scrum 15 yards out. With a well worked move off the base Chloe Brown went over for the first try of the match. Gail Johnson added the extras from the touch line.

Score Hunslet 6-0 Thornhill.

Hunslet were now on fire, returning the ball 60 yards with strong running from Chloe Brown, Lana McCabe and fast feet from Anita Sharrocks. Once again Hunslet lost possession after all this hard work.

Thornhill licking their wounds came back with a vengeance, powerful carries from Beth Lockwood, Beth Holt and a nice kick from Bethan Oates showed they were far from done. Pressure was building for Hunslet as Thornhill turned the screw, Amy Ratcliffe making hard yards followed by Fran Fisher and Beth Lockwood got them a penalty for markers not square. Quick thinking from Chelsey Holder had her score Thornhill’s first points. A great opportunist try from acting half. Conversion short

Score Hunslet 6-4 Thornhill.

Both teams were now looking towards half time and you could feel the need for them to get a much needed rest.

Half time Score Hunslet 6-4 Thornhill

Second half

With both teams revitalised it was back to business. Hunslet kicked off and straight away Lana McCabe put in a bone crunching tackle. Beth Holt gave an amazing offload which saw Nat Kent make plenty of yards only for Thornhill to knock on at the next play. Thornhill’s defence was on point and both Beth Firth and Kathryn Richardson worked together to make sure Hunslet didn’t make much ground.

Play after play Hunslet and Thornhill tested the defences, but much like the first half it was down to tacklers like Charlotte Cawthra and Joanne Harrison for Hunslet and Hannah Butcher and Chelsey Holder for Thornhill that kept the score line so tight.

10 minutes in and Hunslet had gained good ground, only 25 yards out with 2 tackles in the bank they opted for the 1 point. Drop goal wide. Beth Lockwood returned the ball with Joanne Harrison forcing the knock on. Hunslet reacted quickly and with fast hands the ball went through 5 players before Nicola Walker went over for her first ever try and Hunslet’s 2nd of the game. Conversion short

Score Hunslet 10-4 Thornhill.

It didn’t take long for Thornhill to regroup and come again at the Hunslet line. Piggy back sets and they went over themselves. Bethan Oates scored and added the extras.

Score Hunslet 10-10 Thornhill.

Thornhill had the win in sight, breaking through the Hunslet line only to be smashed into touch. With a tug of war going on you knew they were still tries in this game, it was only a matter of which team first. It was Hunslet, with powerful forwards Tegan Halpin, Charlotte Cawthra the attack was set. First a drive, then quick feet from the half back and finally a ball passed down the line saw Nicola Walker over for her 2nd.

Conversion hit the bar but failed to fall the right side.

Score Hunslet 14-10 Thornhill

Hunslet now opted for safety while Thornhill threw everything but the kitchen sink at them. Hunslet resolve stood firm and the final whistle was soon ringing around the pitch. An absolute fantastic game of rugby league played by 2 awesome women’s teams.

Well done Hunslet on your win, I hope you play with the same tenacity in the final.

Report by Jon Harrison

Photo: Ainsley Bennett

Conditions were dry but heavy underfoot and we all knew that today was going to be a tough battle. This was the 3rd time both teams had met this season, having already played each other in the league and the cup. Hunslet taking the spoils in both previous encounters but Hull wanted their scalp today.

Hull opted to kick and Hunslet received and mounted their first attack, only managing to get to the 3rd tackle before knocking on at the half way line. Hull organised straight away and could soon see the Hunslet line only to hand it back 10m short on the 6th tackle.

The game continued like this for the next 10 minutes with both teams making ground in the opposition’s half only to relinquish possession and have to do all the hard work again.

Things changed for Hunslet around the 15 minute mark. With good driving runs from Annie May Shackleton, Jo Harrison and Hayley Portrey they found themselves on the Hull 20m line. With 2 tackles still in the bag, the half backs linked up well and Anita Sharrocks ran down the short side to force her way over for the first score.

Conversion missed – Hull 0 Hunslet 4

Photo: Ainsley Bennett

Hull now upped their game, and tested Hunslet again and again; making good yards only for them to lose the ball due to a loose carry.  Once more Hunslet capitalised, using the pack, first Charlotte Cawthra then Nikita Hunter before Erica Zanre crossed for the 2nd try of the game.

Conversion short – Hull 0 Hunslet 8

The forwards were now taking a real battering in the middle, and both teams lost players to injury, with Hunslet’s Annie May Shackleton suffering a broken leg.

This proved a heavy blow for Hunslet, and Hull came barging through the Hunslet line to score.

Conversion wide – Hull 4 Hunslet 8

Half time

The game restarted and it was clear that Hunslet felt they still had something to prove. They were now passing the ball around, the confidence growing in the team. They attacked the right channel and were just too much for the Hull defence, Olivia Gosling crossing in the corner for her first Hunslet try.

Conversion missed – Hull 4 Hunslet 12

Photo: Ainsley Bennett

Hunslet were 8 points in front but you could sense Hull had tries in them and they weren’t throwing in the towel. The Hull forwards were formidable and relentless in their attack. With Ruby Magson hitting it up time and again. It was only down to a fantastic defensive blue wall that they didn’t score. Totally against the run of play Hunslet’s Cheryl Armitage came through the Hull line, with chasers hard on her heels she just made the try line.

Conversion successful – Hull 4 Hunslet 18

Far from been done Hull still kept going, and were rewarded late on the 2nd half with another try.

Conversion missed – Hull 8 Hunslet 18

Only minutes left in the game now but neither team was giving up. With the props going head to head, the half back and centres too it looked like it would boil over, but all managed to keep their composure. Hull struggled to mount an attack coming out of their 20m and the Hunslet pressure paid off. Hull knocked on, Hunslet took full advantage, a quick tap and fast hands saw Cheryl Armitage cross for her second try

Conversion missed – Final Score: Hull 8 Hunslet 22

After the match Hunslet Warriors coach Jon Harrison said: “At no point did I feel comfortable with the score line and Hull could have scored at any time. A massive thanks to Hull Wyke, the ladies and their hospitality. The coaches are doing a sterling job with the girls and I’m sure next year they’ll be a true force to be reckoned with.”

Report courtesy of Hunslet Warriors