Hunslet Hawks 24 Halifax 32: Hunslet snatch safety with bonus point as Halifax bounce back

The Hawks needed to match or better York’s result at Sheffield Eagles to avoid going straight back down to Co-operative Championship One.

In the event, York’s defeat meant Hunslet were safe whatever the outcome at the South Leeds Stadium.

Hunslet could hardly have wished for a better start against a Halifax side who had already qualified for the play-offs, Danny Grimshaw shooting through a gap to put full-back Danny Ratcliffe in for a home try to the left of the posts.

The Hawks withstood sustained pressure but with John Oakes prominent in the home pack, Tommy Haughey sent Ratcliffe between the posts for his second try.

Slackness at a play-the-ball enabled substitute Paul Penkyweicz to send centre James Haley stretching for the line as Halifax opened their account, but player-coach Paul March finished off slick passing by crossing for the Hawks’ third try.

Jack Latus improved the first two touchdowns and landed two long distance penalties to send Hunslet into a 20-6 half-time lead – Sheffield leading York by the same score at the halfway stage.

After winger Rob Worrincy scored the visitors’ second try, the March twins combined for David March to get Hunslet back on track.

However, Barlow pulled Halifax level with two tries converted by Danny Jones and after Jones nudged the visitors in front with a penalty, centre Ryan Fieldhouse plunged over in injury time for the visitors.

Halifax now will face Yorkshire rivals Batley Bulldogs on Thursday evening in the play-offs.

Hunslet Hawks: Ratcliffe; Pryce, Clayton, Latus, Barnett; Grimshaw, P March; Sullivan, Haigh, Kelly, Oakes, Haughey, Blakeway. Substitutes: D March, Lowe, Yates, McLocklan.

Halifax: Greenwood; Worrincy, Haley, Fieldhouse, White; Jones, Black; Barlow, Beswick, Cherryholme, Clayton, Bannister, Fairbank. Substitutes: Aizue, Penkywicz, Gannon, Chandler.

Referee: R Laughton (Barnsley).