Heworth second best at reigning NCL champions Hunslet

The Villagers’ effort could not be faulted as they headed on the road for the fifth successive week, but too many basic errors meant they could not exert enough pressure on the home line. 

The South Leeds side, despite having prop Jamie Fields dismissed on 20 minutes for alleged punching, were far more clinical with their finishing and showed all their experience to post five tries and run out worthy winners.

Hunslet opened the scoring after nine minutes with an unconverted try by winger Josh McClelland and went further ahead six minutes later when prop Elliot Morgan muscled his way over from short range and stand off Jordan Gale added the extras to put them 10-0 ahead. 

Heworth though responded well with some good handling skills, but mistakes and penalties proved costly in their efforts to put points on the board and on 24 minutes home loose forward George Clarke shrugged off a couple of defenders to cross for their third try, again converted by Gale.

The Villagers kept plugging away and hit back in impressive style on the half hour when Liam Jackson broke away from 40 metres out, handing over to Tyler Craig, who found the supporting Jack Sadler, who reduced the deficit to 16-6 at the break.

The second half proved similar to the first with the hosts pressing home their advantage in the opening quarter of an hour.

Craig McShane found the whitewash before McClelland scored his second, one of which was converted by Gale to put them 26-6 in front. 

Jack Sadler was on the scoresheet for Heworth. (Image: Paul Lister)

Heworth, to their credit, refused to lie down and some stoic defending prevented any further score.

They eventually had the final word after 64 minutes when Sadler crossed from a fine offload by prop Liam Richmond for a well-deserved try. Substitute Leon Watkinson slotted the two pointer to make the final score 26-16.

Heworth finally get their home campaign underway on Saturday afternoon, with Kells the visitors to Elmpark Way (2:30pm).