Thunder struck hard as Hawks ease home during 16-try romp

Hunslet Hawks eased to victory with 16 tries taking another step towards the Championship One title as Gateshead Thunder's miserable season continued.

Hunslet opened the scoring after three minutes thanks to Michael Marks's try but, despite dominating the opening 15 minutes, they failed to capitalize and fell behind when Michael Brown battled his way past four players to pull Thunder level.

Ryan Clarke then converted the conversion to make the score 6-4 but the lead was short-lived as the Hawks restored their advantage through Richard Chapman's try.

David March followed up with the first of 11 conversions during the game as the Yorkshiremen took control of the game and opened up a 28-6 half-time lead.

Hunslet continued to pressure in the second half and produced three tries in the opening 10 minutes to end Thunder's hopes, the pick being Stuart Kain's who finished off a superb run from Wayne Price, the left winger beating five men before supplying the crucial pass to his team-mate.

Thunder were able to restore some pride with James Houston's try and Chapman's second conversion.

However, further tries from Tommy Haughey, and two from debutant George Raynor helped to seal an impressive 86-12 victory for the league leaders.

Gateshead Thunder: Stoker, O'Sullivan, Neighbour, M. Brown, Peers, Duffy, R. Clarke, Payne, Young, M. Barron, R. Clarke, Wilson, J. Brown. Substitutes: Bate, Parker, Welton, Aderiye.

Hunslet Hawks: Kain, Mark, J. Oakes, Clayton, Pryce, Grimshaw, P. March, Helme, Chapman, Houston, Wabo, Haughey, D. March. Substitutes: Knight, Lowe, Raynor, Stead.

Referee: G Hewer (Whitehaven).