On a cold wet day, in bog-like conditions,
Stanley Rangers and Hunslet Parkside shared the points in
a 16-16 draw. Given the conditions, both teams played some
great rugby which was a credit to junior rugby. After the
opening few minutes, where both sets of forwards tested each
other out, and both defences held firm, it was Rangers who
took the lead. The Rangers backs linked up well with their
forwards to take them to within a few feet of the Hunslet
line. Then from a set piece Ranger's Sam Taylor crashed over
near the posts, Kevin Eadie converting to put Rangers O-6
up. Play moved from end to end, with some hard running and
big hits from both teams. Hunslet levelled the scores mid
way through the half when one of the big Hunslet forwards
found a gap in the Rangers defence to cross near the posts,
The try was converted to make it six apiece. This lifted the
hosts, and it wasn't long before they stretched their lead
with another converted try. But Rangers, undaunted by this,
hit back and forced Hunslet back with some good hard running
and fast hands, their reward another Sam Taylor try, this
time unconverted. When the whistle blew to end a thrilling
first half, the Rangers were probably the more pleased to
be turning around with only a two point deficit. going in
at halftime 1O - 12 down.
The second half was very much as the
first, with both teams playing some good rugby. Every player
on the field putting their bodies on the line to stop, and
break down attack after attack by both teams. As the game
progressed Rangers started to gain the upper hand with some
good drives and handling. They soon found themselves close
to the hosts line, and put them under pressure, only to lose
the ball in the tackle, and knock on, turning over possession
to the Parksiders. From the scrum Hunslet went down the blind
side, only to be met with some terrific defending, forcing
the ball carrier into touch to regain possession at the scrum.
From the scrum Rangers moved the ball across the field and
back, the ball being off loaded to a charging Sam Taylor to
crash over once again and get a well deserved hat-trick, Eadie
converting to put Rangers once again in the lead. 12-16. With
only a few minutes left Rangers defended well from the Hunslet
onslaught, only to have a player injured, who stayed down,
and had to be taken away by ambulance to hospital. Play was
held up for about twenty minutes. After the restart Rangers
defended two sets of six tackles, but were caught out with
a kick and chase on the last tackle, the Hunslet winger winning
the chase to bring the sides level, the conversion was missed,
and it finished all square: 16 - 16. A good result for Rangers
against a top of the table team, and a thoroughly entertaining
game.