West Hull vs Hunslet Warriors - match report

West Hull extended their impressive unbeaten league run to seven matches to keep the pressure on table toppers Siddal after running riot against basement battlers Hunslet Warriors.

The home side ran in nine tries and were 24 – 0 up at the break, exhibiting their dominance and restricting the Warriors from attacking.

Braces from half-back, Ian Kerman and interchange pivot, Carl Puckering added to the misery for the depleted Warriors.

The travellers, who were without numerous key men, including captain Caldon Bravo, provided a brighter second half display, grabbing two tries both converted by stand-in skipper, Gary McClelland, who moved into the halves to pave the way for 17-year-old Louis Sharpe to make his first team debut.

The only disappointment for the hosts during the afternoon was when full-back Matt Plummer was sent to the sin bin at the back-end of the second forty after repeated infringements.

The Warriors were their own worst enemy for the first three tries conceded. Jake Corney failed to diffuse a high bomb, gifting the green and golds another set. Callum Windley burrowed over from dummy half for the first try.

On the other wing, Lee West fumbled a grubber kick which was pounced on by Josh Hart to get over in the corner.

The Warriors’ backs weren’t getting to grips with the greasy conditions. 17-year-old, Louis Sharpe knocked on at the play ball to give West Hull possession. From that, Matt Plummer sliced his way through for a third converted try.

The ability for the hosts to play the ball quicker than their opponents was paying dividends for them. Ryan Steen ran onto a short ball to burst his way through to set up Scott Howlett 11 minutes from the break.

It took just one minute inside the second half for West Hull to dish out further punishment for Hunslet. Carl Puckering stepped his way over. Steve Partis took over the kicking duties whilst Kerman wasn’t on the field and added the extras for the number 14’s effort.

With just under half an hour to play, Paul Shaw crashed over from close range to bring up the forty mark.

After West Hull had capitalised on Hunslet errors, the Warriors made amends and punished West Hull themselves. Dave Norton swooped on a loose ball and made the 30 metre dash to the line.

Despite that, the home side got back into the scoring mood when Puckering’s kick bounced around like a cork in the ocean and was gathered in by himself to slide over.

With the game lost going into the last ten minutes, the Warriors managed to get two piggybacks up the field from two penalties. A further penalty was awarded inside West Hull’s ten, and Plummer was shown a yellow card for a third consecutive breach.

Hunslet made best use of the man advantage, centre Matty Fox danced his way to the West Hull try-line with McClelland’s conversion making it 46 – 12.

The scoring was rounded off a minute from full-time when Windley went down the short left side to send Georg Lawler in for a converted try.