Grimshaw scrambles a late Cup winner for Hawks to deny Eagles

A try from stand-off Danny Grimshaw with eight minutes to play decided a dour contest.

In a game dominated by strong defence the Hawks were the better going forward with player-coach Paul March combining well with his brother David to give the control the Eagles lacked.

The game kicked off in torrential rain and as it eased Hunslet took the lead with Paul March providing the pass for second rower Tommy Haughey to run in for the try. Danny Ratcliffe added the goal. Hawks were unable to build on their lead as the Eagles struggled to play out their sets.

Eagles centre Menzie Yere was put on report after a tackle on Haughey shortly before the break. The second half came alive with the Eagles playing their best rugby and going level with Yere following up a kick from Simon Brown, who added the goal. Hunslet edged back into the lead as indiscipline by the Eagles saw Ratcliffe kick two penalties.

Eagles snatched back the lead with a try from Corey Hanson with Brown adding the goal.

Ratcliffe missed a penalty to level the scores but as Eagles tried to hang on to their lead Grimshaw saw a gap open in the line and raced in for the vital try. Ratcliffe added the goal.

Hawks player-coach Paul March said: “A great win, defensively we were very strong. In the second half we went away from what we did in the first – but Danny took the chance well.”

Sheffield: Cottle; Mills, Yere, Hanson, Bergin; McDonald, Smith; Howieson, Henderson, Stringer, Cording, Green, Hirst. Substitutes: Hepworth, Watson, Rowe, Higgins.

Hunslet: Radcliffe; Pryce, Clayton, Kear, Barnett; Grimshaw, March; Cakacaka, Chapman, Kelly, Blakeway, Haughey, March. Substitutes: Oakes, Helme, McLochlan, Lowe.

Referee: D Merrick (RFL).