Hunslet Hawks 24 Sheffield Eagles 32: Taulapapa heaps the pressure on Hunslet as Sheffield triumph

With three minutes left, Taulapapa looked to be tackled just short of the line before crawling over to touch down after the scores had been locked at 24-24. Referee Craig Halloran, of Dewsbury, allowed the try, improved by Simon Brown who went on to kick a penalty in the final seconds.

In a see-saw match, the Eagles gained the early initiative, Taulapapa collecting his first try near the posts before centre Corey Hanson forced his way over near the corner, Brown improving both tries.

The Hawks’ response came with a smart try by full-back Danny Ratcliffe, who celebrated his return after injury by gathering a high kick from player-coach Paul March and scoring between the posts.

Jack Latus added the goal to leave the Hawks trailing by just six points at half-time.

Ratcliffe side-stepped his way over for his second try and Latus levelled the scores with a successful kick.

Mitch Stringer then strode through a gap for Sheffield’s third try, goalled by Brown, but the plucky Hawks hit back to equalise again, Ratcliffe making a breakaway, with the subsequent play ending in a try for Paul March.

Latus added the goal and converted Richie Barnett’s try against his old club.

Back came Sheffield, Hanson’s second try and Brown’s fourth goal levelling the scores again before Taulapapa’s controversial touchdown.

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

Sheffield Eagles: Taulapapa; Bergin, Hanson, Yere, Mills; Laulu-Togagae, Brown; Howieson, Henderson, Stringer, Hirst, Green, McDonald. Substitutes: Rowe, Szostak, Smith, Hepworth.

Referee: C Halloran (Dewsbury).