If you know any girls in school years 6 and 7 who’d like to try rugby league or have played before please encourage them to get along to a training session Mondays and Wednesdays between 6pm and 7pm. Their club house is at: The Oval, Hunslet, Leeds LS10 2AU.

They have an excellent set of girls and coaches at the Warriors, free coaching, minimal signing on fee and game day subs to cover overheads.

They are determined to get more girls involved in this fantastic sport of rugby league!

At the moment all girls are training at John Charles on the all weather pitch because of the bad weather last week.

Anyone interested in attending should contact Jo Harrison at: Jo_ww@hotmail.co.uk or via the numbers on the poster.

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

Hunslet had trained really hard that week and were brimming with confidence, and with a late influx of new signings took to the field with a full squad of 17.

Hunslet’s Chloe Brown (Photo: Ainsley Bennett)

Odsal won the toss and opted to play up-hill, great tactic in my opinion.

Hunslet playing downhill didn’t have it all their own way in the first 10 minutes. Odsal kept the pressure up and kept forcing errors. With the pace of the game so fast it was only a matter of time before the score line changed.

That came around the 11 minute mark when Hunslet took full advantage of a half-way penalty; playing down the middle with first Nikita hunter then Jo Harrison before a perfectly weighted kick from Gail Johnson saw Aimee McVitee score in the corner. Conversion missed. Odsal 0 Hunslet 4

Hunslet had now found their feet, and kept up the attack, not forcing it and happy to turn over ball in the Odsal 20 metre.

Hunslet also made some tactical substitutions, bringing Hayley Portrey onto the field and this proved pivotal.

Hunslet’s Annie May Shackleton touches down (Photo: Ainsley Bennett)

Another structured attack and Hunslet were over again. This time with Annie May Shackleton. Gail Johnson put the conversion just wide. Odsal 0 Hunslet 8.

Odsal weren’t done though, and kept pushing up that hill, only to be thwarted time and again at the last hurdle by the Hunslet scrambling defence.

Hunslet brought the ball away after another failed Odsal attack, picking up a penalty near the half way line. They came again, quick thinking from Gail Johnson, good feet from Anita Sharrock saw her go over for a well deserved try.

A great conversion from Gail Johnson increased the score further. Odsal 0 Hunslet 14

With the game nearing half time the game looked all but done. All players seemed to be ready for the whistle. Then all of sudden a little break from Chloe Brown things took a turn, Hunslet smelt blood and they weren’t going to settle for a 14 point lead. Fast hands saw the ball come to Megan Davies who crossed in the far right corner. Conversion missed

Half time score: Odsal 0 Hunslet 18

Hunslet knew the hard work now had to be done, playing up hill after giving so much wasn’t going to be easy.

Odsal wasted no time and came attacking straight away. With a strong pack they battered Hunslet and soon found themselves camped in the Hunslet 20 metre.

Time and again Odsal tried to score, and Hunslet withstood the onslaught. Hunslet were struggling to make ground against such a battle hardened team hell bent on scoring. Hunslet opting to kick early several times just to relieve the constant pressure.

No team was going to hold out forever and eventually Odsal came charging through, a well deserved try for Rose Nash. Conversion missed Odsal 4 Hunslet 18

Now it was time to stand up be counted for both teams. Odsal had tries in them but Hunslet had a hunger, and they weren’t conceding any more.

Going up hill Hunslet first worked right, then swung it left. Cheryl Armitage made a break only to be brought down on the Odsal 30 metre line. Driving for the sticks, the Odsal defence sucked in enough to get the ball away left. Cheryl Armitage came onto a short ball and forced her way over to score. Conversion missed Odsal 4 Hunslet 22

With seconds left Hunslet decided to chance their arm for yet more points.

Pushing the attack out to the wing through many hands the ball found itself in the grasp of debutant Nicola Walker. She had the line in sight, but the Odsal defence had read the play and slid across to deny Nicola her first try in her first ever game. Hard luck but they’ll be plenty more chances for her I’m sure.

Final score: Odsal 4 Hunslet 22

I’ll just add it wasn’t all one way traffic and Odsal gave a really good account of themselves. They should all be proud of their effort today. Hunslet are becoming a real force to be reckoned with this season.

Report courtesy of team coach Hunslet Warriors

Photo: Ainsley Bennett

Yesterday Hunslet Warriors travelled across Yorkshire to play the ladies of Hull.

With the Warriors bringing in a couple of new signings (Sherryl Cole and Chloe Brown) and having players returning from injury ( Kat Sharrock – return after broken finger and Megan Davies – return after broken nose), Hunslet were hoping to put on a good display. With both sides fielding a big pack you thought that this would be a battle of the forwards.

Photo: Ainsley Bennett

Hunslet consolidated and after forcing a few mistakes crossed the line themselves with Chloe Brown. Conversion missed. Score 4-4

Score 8-4 Half time.

After some wise words from the coaches Hunslet came out in the 2nd half with more determination, Hull did their best to keep them out but with a very clever cross field kick from Gail Johnson on the last tackle Chloe Brown once again found herself over the line. Conversion just wide Score 8-8

Photo: Ainsley Bennett

The game could now go either way. It was a battle both in attack as in defence. Some fancy footwork and Hull crossed in the corner. Conversion missed. Score 12-8.

With the game hanging in the balance, Hunslet pressed once again. The ball going through several pairs of hands Chloe Brown once again had only the try line in her sights. Powering over she brought the game back to writhing Hunslet’s grasp. Conversion once again only slightly wide. Score 12-12.

With only minutes left both teams gave their all, but neither could take a firm hold. A well fought battle by 33 gladiators, every one of them able to hold their heads high.

Final score 12 – 12

Match report by Jon Harrison

Photo: Ainsley Bennett

With much anticipation the Hunslet Warriors travelled over to Odsal Sirens hoping to keep the winning run going in the league competition. Hunslet, had to put a patched up side together and just managed to scrape together 13 combatants for today’s battle. With the pitch on an obvious slope, and conditions dodgy at best both teams knew this wasn’t going to be an easy win.

Hunslet won the toss and opted to play up hill. Hunslet showed great structure in the first 5 and applied all the pressure on Odsal, forcing piggy back penalties and getting themselves in a scoring opportunity. Working from dummy half the Warriors hooker grubber kicked for the corner, only for it to go dead. Odsal came out determined to work down field, but with a knock on in only the 2nd tackle, Hunslet once again found themselves on Odsal’s 40yard line. Quickly making up the ground on the 4th tackle the Gail, the Hunslet 9, put in another well weighted kick. This time Odsal cleared. Result Odsal drop out. Odsal galvanised and with some good rugby, were soon camped on the Hunslet 20-yard line. Working the ball right, and with 2 drives from dummy half Odsal scored in the corner. Conversion missed. Score 4-0.

Photo: Ainsley Bennett

With Hunslet now struggling to get out of their half it was all they could do to stop the Odsal onslaught. Time and again Odsal attacked, time and again Hunslet thwarted their advance. Until eventually with a well worked play down the right, the ball going through several pairs of hands Odsal once again scored. Conversion missed.

Half time score Odsal 8 Hunslet 0.

Having the time to patch players up and offer some advice the Hunslet side took to the field. Now playing downhill they only hoped that the tide of fortune would change. Just like in the 1^st half, Odsal took the offensive and soon looked like scoring again. A consolidated Hunslet defence kept them out, but for the first 5 mins it as all Odsal. Hunslet regrouped and pushed on down the park, with the help of a penalty they soon had the try line in sight. With 2 drives out of 3 balls Jo Wilson found herself over the line just to the left of the sticks. The team were ecstatic and the lift was just what they needed. Conversion successful by Nikita Hunter. Score 8-6.

Hunslet score (Photo: Ainsley Bennett)

Now the game swung in the favour of Hunslet, Odsal scrambled to defend. With probing runs from both Hunslet half backs it was inevitable Hunslet would score again. Working left from the Odsal 40, Hunslet played some excellent rugby to score in the corner with Anita. Conversion missed. Score 8-10.

With the game now in the balance, strong defence was needed to keep the opposition from scoring. First Hunslet attacked, then Odsal, there seemed to be no let up. With one last desperate push Odsal gave it their all. Getting up to the Hunslet try line they pitched one last ditch attempt to cross the line, only for play to break down with a knock on. Hunslet brought the ball away from the resulting scrum, making good yards down the pitch. Finally, the ref put whistle to lips and blew full time Final Score 8-10.

A jubilant Hunslet congratulated each other on such an emphatic win. One of the best games for sportsmanship I’ve ever witnessed, today was a pleasure. Hunslet came out victorious but under the circumstances everyone on the pitch today gave their heart and soul.

Match Report by Jon Harrison

Photo by Ainsley Bennett

Hunslet Warriors v East Leeds – this was a much anticipated fixture, as much for the Hunslet players as the coaching staff. With the local council closing all their pitches the Hunslet coaches worked tirelessly for 3 hours to get this fixture playable. Luckily they just managed to pull it off.

Now for the game. As you’d expect with any local derby, tension was running high in both camps and plenty of ill feeling so a tough contest was expected. With the game going too and fro, Hunslet showed more structure in attack which soon paid off with a well worked move resulting in a try, scored by Chloe Cass. Conversion missed, score Hunslet 4 East Leeds 0.

East Leeds licked their wounds, consolidated and put together some well worked rugby. The Hunslet defence worked tirelessly to keep them out. With 10 minutes to go Hunslet were piling on the pressure and when they seemed to be able to do no wrong, disaster struck. Chloe Cass went down injured after what appeared to be a very normal tackle. With all medical staff from both teams on the pitch Hunslet made the decision to call an ambulance. Play was stopped for 20 minutes while paramedics took Chloe* off the pitch. With the Hunslet team feeling slight unnerved by what had happened to a team mate, the game commenced. Just before the half time whistle East Leeds went over the white wash. Conversion missed – half time score 4-4.

Hunslet started the second much as they’d played the first half. Showing true grit and Warrior resolve and came out determined to win. Soon enough, East Leeds started to lose their cool. With piggy back penalties Hunslet once again found themselves in a dominant position. Only 5 yards out Gail worked from dummy half, drove to the line only to off load at the last minute to Annie-May. Twisting and turning Annie made her way over the line for a deserved try. Conversion missed score Warriors 8 East Leeds 4.

The tide changed several times over the next 15 minutes, with both side taking the offensive. Hunslet’s poor discipline when defending their own try line led to East Leeds powering over. Once again, conversion missed. Score Hunslet 8 East Leeds 8.

The final whistle wasn’t far off, both teams gave it their all. Neither being able to break down the others defence.

A meeting with coaches and the ref at full time came to the decision, with failing light, that golden point was the best option. Hunslet, having started with 12 players and 1 sub. Then losing Chloe, the stand off, and all the injuries that come from playing a contact sport, looked up against it. The Hunslet girls had shown such resilience through the game, were just worn out. East Leeds mounted one last ditch assault, and managed to score in the corner. Final score, Hunslet 8 East Leeds 12.

Match report by Jon Harrison.

*Injury update: We have been informed that  Chloe Cass broke her foot in three places and unfortunately, for both her and the Warriors, she will be out for at least 3 months. We wish Chloe all the best for a swift and total recovery and hope that she’ll be back playing again as soon as possible