Hunslet Warriors vs East Leeds - match report

Gary McClelland shrugging off an East Leeds defender

Hunslet Warriors earned the city’s bragging rights after defeating East Leeds 24 – 16 at The Oval.

Victory for the south Leeds side brought their five match winless streak to a halt, and claimed their third home win of the season.

The hosts were 16 – 10 down at the break, but, second half tries from Caldon Bravo and Gary McClelland, who slotted over a penalty goal with six minutes to play, kept East Leeds scoreless in the second 40 and ensured the two points.

However, the visitors opened up the scoring inside the first ten minutes when Declan Tomlinson used his strength to slam the ball down in the right corner.

East Leeds had the majority of the possession in the first half, and converted the possession with more points. Nathan Conroy attacked the line, and managed to offload the ball to David Nurse who went over beneath the uprights.

Midway through the first 40, the Warriors got themselves on the board when Luke Day crashed over, with McClelland’s extras making it 10 – 6.

The scores were tied up swiftly after, as Hunslet applied pressure on their opponents to force a mistake. East Leeds offloaded the ball into the hands of the waiting Warriors defence, the ball was fed to Dave Norton who surged to the line.

Just before the referee’s whistle to bring up the interval, Joey Walkin barged his way over from close range.

East Leeds continued their search for more points in the opening exchanges of the second half, but failed to add to their try tally.

But, after soaking up plenty of pressure, the Warriors brought the game back level again. A break down the right was backed up well by McClelland who sent Bravo romping away unopposed.

McClelland’s assist was rewarded on the hour mark. Jim Baker’s inside ball to the full-back, got him one on one with his opposite number, and McClelland stepped away from Tom Sheldrake to cross for his ninth try of the campaign.

Skipper, Bravo, who proved to be unstoppable for his try, nearly sealed a win for his side. However, his break and pass resulted in the Warriors turning over possession.

The Warriors waited patiently for another opportunity to secure the much-needed two points, and six minutes from time, they got it.

East Leeds were caught offside, and the Warriors coaching staff took no hesitation in opting to take the two. McClelland capped off a terrific performance by converting the penalty goal to clinch the points.