Grand Final glory as Leeds rugby league side Hunslet ARLFC shock West Hull to win National League title
Grand Final specialists Hunslet ARLFC created a major upset with a superb 14-0 shut out of favourites West Hull in today’s National League Premier Division title decider at Wakefield Trinity.
West Hull topped the table by six points from second-placed Hunslet, suffering one defeat and a draw in the process - but the Leeds side were far better when it really mattered, scoring three tries in the first half and comfortably seeing out a scoreless second 40.
They took their limited chances Hunslet survived a couple of early scares with Ben Shulver and Craig McShane holding up Josh Oliver over the line before Ryan Langton almost snuck in from acting-half. But it was the Leeds side who broke the duck after 15 minutes through winger Caelum Jordan with a try at the right corner.
The same player lost the ball moments later and Jack Sanderson seemed a certain scorer, but Craig McShane made a sensational tackle to drag him down and force the ball loose. That was a big moment in the game and Hunslet were on top from then on.
They increased their lead to 10 points on the half hour through some superb skill from half-back Harry Shackleton who ran to the left, threw a dummy and stepped back inside for an outstanding try which he also converted. Things got even better for the underdogs five minutes before the break when eventual man of the match Jack McShane ducked under a tackle and twisted over for their third try.
Shackleton couldn’t add the extras and was off target with a long-range penalty soon afterwards. Leading by three scores at the interval, it was Hunslet’s game to lose and with their defence in such good shape, that never looked like happening. They were content to let West Hull do most of the pressing and the table-toppers had spells of pressure, but couldn’t find a way through.
West Hull: Palmer, Masike, Lazenby, Sanderson, Wilkinson, Wood, Jones, Arbon, Langton, Priestman, Hutchinson, Verity, Oliver. Subs: Potter, Ellerington, Goodhand, Tyson-Wilson
Hunslet ARLFC: McLelland, Rayner, Goddard, C McShane, Jordan, Rowse, Shackleton, Kamano, J McShane, Field, Shulver, Dodd, Barraclough. Subs Jordan-Rioberts, Abson, High, Corke.
Referee: Craig Maddock (Warrington).