Match Report | Sheffield Eagles 18-22 Hunslet

23/05/2025

Written by Will Russell

Sheffield Eagles were narrowly defeated 18-22 this evening by Hunslet in Round 11 of the Betfred Championship.

Head Coach Craig Lingard made plenty of changes to his Eagles side who were winners last time out against the London Broncos. A debut for loanee Jack Billington, as well as first starts for Jack Mallinson and Darius Carter meant a new look side for the Eagles, with a welcome return from injury as well for Titus Gwaze, who made the bench.

Hunslet got us underway in a first half which was disrupted by injuries. The Eagles struggled to get into their rhythm, as they gave away multiple penalties in the opening 10 minutes which allowed Hunslet to get on top early. 

The early pressure told in the sixth minute, when another penalty given away by the Eagles gave Hunslet possession close to their try line. A heavy carry from Harvey Hallas got them close, before Cameron Berry dove over from close range for the opener. 

This served as a wake up call for the Eagles, who responded brilliantly. The next twenty minutes saw dominance from the Eagles, as they forced Hunslet into their own period of mistakes. A spree of penalties put the Eagles in firm control. They displayed plenty of composure, running it down the middle as they created space round the outside for Jack Mallinson to score on his first start for the Eagles to pull them level. 

A long pause for the injury of Alex Foster took away some of the Eagles' momentum, as after some scramble defence on their tryline, they went behind again to a try from Billy Jowitt, as he ran in from close range. 

A yellow card to Harrison Gilmore for delaying the restart gave Sheffield the man advantage, however an interception on the halfway line disrupted this, Lachlan Hanneghan scoring to put Hunslet two tries up as they went into half time. 

The second half began much like the first, as the Eagles struggled to keep their discipline. A wayward pass five minutes into the second period gave Coby Nichol an easy run in for Hunslet’s fourth try of the game in the corner. 

This seemed to wake the Eagles up as quick ball and heavy carries disrupted the Hunslet defence, and Billington made the most of a broken field to score on his debut.  

Five minutes after that, the Eagles found themselves deep in the Hunslet half yet again. A brilliant kick from Aston caused the Hunslet defender to spill the ball, and from the resultant set play, Billington went over for his second of the game. 

This brought the score to within four points, but with time running out, the Eagles couldn’t find one last push to complete their comeback, narrowly losing out to Hunslet 22-18.

The Eagles will be looking to get back to winning ways next weekend as they travel to the LNER Community Stadium to take on York Knights RLFC in the Betfred Championship. (3pm KO).

Sheffield Eagles: Mallinson, Millar, Welham, Carter, Dawson-Jones, Aston, Bussey, Battye, Butterworth, Dickinson, Roberts, Foster, Billington

Interchanges (all used): Gwaze, Hodgson, Broadbent, Peachy

18th Man: Bower

Tries: Jack Mallinson (21'), Jack Billington (61’, 71’)

Goals: Cory Aston (3/3)

Hunslet: Eden, Nichol, Welham, Mcewan-Peters, Turner, Hanneghan, Jowitt, Hallas, Berry, O’Hanlon, Gilmore, larroyer, Clavering

Interchanges (all used): Syme, Foster, Rugless, Webb-Campbell

18th Man: Wood

Tries: Cameron Berry (7'), Billy Jowitt (26), Lachlan Hanneghan (33’), Coby Nichol (44’)

Goals: Billy Jowitt (3/4)

Attendance: TBC

Player of the Match: Jack Billington

Referee: S. Mikalauskas