Parksiders’ positivity puts Hunslet coach Gary Thornton in a bit of a selection spin

The Parksiders begin their Betfred League One campaign away to Keighley Cougars on Sunday, February 16.

Thornton’s men have won their two warm-up games so far, beating Championship sides Bradford Bulls 26-18 and Batley Bulldogs 16-12.

“There’s still a lot of work to be done, but I have to be pleased with how things are going,” Thornton observed.

“We’d very probably have lost both those games last season, when we all too often allowed good leads to slip away, but our game management is now so much better and that’s down to our new half-backs Dom Brambani and Danny Rowse.

“They don’t take the wrong options and they’re very good at guiding our forwards through a match.”

Thornton also feels there’s “so much energy and a much-improved attitude about the side”. He added: “Our hooker Jack Lee, told me after the victory over Batley that he was very impressed by the willingness of our kids to dig in and keep going.

“There’s a good mood in the camp after two victories against Championship clubs and, while we’re well aware that the matches that count start in February, the spirit in the camp is excellent. The only downside, for me as a coach is that I can only pick 17 men!”

n Ambitious League 1 club Newcastle Thunder have been invited to kick off Super League’s Magic Weekend at St James’ Park.

Thunder, who have unveiled a plan to get back into Super League by 2030, will play Doncaster at 12.30 on Saturday, May 23.