Hunslet RLFC: Powers of recovery are a positive for Thornton

Hunslet coach Gary Thornton.Hunslet coach Gary Thornton.
Hunslet coach Gary Thornton.
TOUGH WINS are the best and that was the case with Hunslet's 39-32 victory over Whitehaven in Betfred League One.

It was the Parksiders’ third successive win and came despite three injuries and after they had seen a 22-8 lead turned into a 10-point deficit.

“We didn’t make it easy for ourselves, but the players showed terrific team spirit, courage, togetherness and toughness,” reflected coach Gary Thornton.

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He said: “We were 22-8 in front just before half-time and a dubious call went against us from the kick-off after our fourth try, Mickey Haley had the ball stolen, but it was given as a knock-on and they scored from the scrum.

Michael Haley.Michael Haley.
Michael Haley.

“So instead of being 22-8 at half-time it was 22-14 and within 20 minutes we were 32-22 down.

“We had a terrible patch when we couldn’t get the ball; they had six back-to-back sets for various reasons, penalties, conceded tries and errors.

“But we came back really well and I was proud of the way we finished the game, especially because with 15 minutes to go we had no fit subs left; we were down to 13 fit players.”

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It was the latest example of Hunslet staging a powerful finish and Thornton added: “We scored 17 unanswered points in 17 minutes and that’s credit to my coaching and strength and conditioning staff.

Jack Lee. Picture: Tony Johnson.Jack Lee. Picture: Tony Johnson.
Jack Lee. Picture: Tony Johnson.

“They have got the players really fit and we are finishing games strongly and winning at the death.

“We need to look at the middle period, but I can’t take too much away from the players – I was delighted with the result and it was a good game and a good advert for League One.”

Of the injuries, Thornton confirmed: “Mickey Haley damaged his ribs, Jack Lee injured his back, Duane Straugheir did his hamstring and Brad Foster was having cramp in his hamstring and could not go back on.

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“Duane was the worst, he could be out for four to six weeks, which is a massive loss.”

Hunslet are eighth in League One, but only two points behind third-placed Oldham.

They travel to London Skolars on Saturday and Thornton described that as a “banana skin”.

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