West Hull defeat Hunslet ARLFC to set up plum St Helens tie

HUNSLET ARLFC 18 WEST HULL 24
PAUL THORPE, The Oval, Saturday

A TRY by prolific West Hull secondrow Benn Arbon nine minutes from time put paid to a rousing rally from twelve points down by reigning National Conference League champions Hunslet ARLFC and earned the Green and Golds a home pairing with St Helens at the next stage on the Wembley trail.

Arbon, who had been kept very much under wraps by the south Leeds side in the 2023 NCL Grand Final – a key factor in their triumph on that occasion – turned the tables this time.

His contribution regained the momentum for his side after the hosts had recovered from 12-0 adrift midway through the first half to lead 14-12 early in the second period.

The veteran’s first touchdown, on 50 minutes, plus – importantly – scrum-half Jack Townend’s third conversion, gave Wests an 18-14 advantage, only for Hunslet ARLFC to restore parity before the hour mark, winger Will Cohen crossing out wide.

Jordan Gale, however, was unable to add the extras – the stand-off was off target with three conversion attempts, each of them difficult, on a day on which both sides registered four tries.

But that miss was academic in the light of Arbon’s late score and the subsequent goal by winger Jay Hampshire, who had taken over the kicking duties from Townend.

Wests assumed their early lead with tries by substitute Harry Trulson and hooker Jacob Moore.

But Hunslet ARLFC went in at the break only a couple of points behind, Cohen and his co-winger Nathan Smith scoring and Gale improving the second try.

Smith nosed the hosts ahead two minutes after the restart but the visitors were undaunted and the spoils were to rest with Wests in revenge for not only the 2023 Grand Final reverse but for the 18-6 NCL play-off semi-final defeat, on their own patch, last autumn.

GAMESTAR: West Hull secondrow Benn Arbon, who crowned a trademark display with his second, match-winning try.

GAMEBREAKER: Arbon’s touchdown nine minutes from time booked West Hull a home third-round showdown with St Helens.

MATCHFACTS
HUNSLET ARLFC
1 Josh McLelland
2 Will Cohen
3 James Morgan
4 Brad Wheeler
5 Nathan Smith
6 Jordan Gale
7 Craig McShane
8 Moris Kamano
9 Joe Abson
10 Ryan Campbell
11 Dillan Thornton
12 Harry Dodd
13 Ben Shulver
Subs (all used)
14 Matty Scott
17 Michael Waite
16 Michael Hoyle
21 Tommy Corke

Tries: Cohen (24, 57), Smith (39, 42)
Goals: Gale 1/4

WESTS
1 Elliott Jones
2 Jay Hampshire
3 Tom Verity
4 Kieran Masike
5 Eligh Wilkinson
6 Josh Wood
7 Jack Townend
8 Josh Oliver
9 Jacob Moore
10 Josh Jarvis
11 Kian Goodhand
12 Benn Arbon
13 Louis Crowther
Subs (all used)
14 AJ Chambers
15 Harry Trulson
16 Tom Rea
17 Robbie Jones