Carnegie Challenge Cup 3rd Round

Danny Johnsons RNRL Brothers came within 20 minutes of pulling off one of the biggest shocks ever in Challenge Cup history before going down to a spate of tries in the last ten minutes against Championship outfit Hunslet Hawks.
As a result of a fantastic performance in the 2nd round the Brothers were determined to put on another good show to highlight the standards of services Rugby League. Despite losing a couple of players from the 2nd Round side the Brothers cause was boosted by the return of James Wagstaffe, Mike Haldenby, Tommy Wilkinson and last year’s RNRL Man Of Steel Ben Taylor, Ash Hedges took his place on the bench as cover for Lee Hunter adding strength in the pack. Knowing his men were in for a tough afternoon Coach Johnson filled the subs bench with three forwards and just the one recognised back. This strategy almost came off as the forwards all stepped up and were more than a match for the opposition. Another beautiful day with cloudless skies and high temperatures meant it was going to be an energy sapping afternoon which would test the fitness of both squads but in fairness all 34players gave a great show of Rugby League from minute 1 to 80 despite the heat.
Senior referee Ronnie Laughton go the game underway however before everybody had settled for the match the Hawks were ahead after barely forty seconds. The Hawks dealt with the kick off well and after a couple of tackles the ball went out to their right to David Clayton who scattered the RN defence and beat them to the line for possibly the worst start imaginable for the visitors. Despite the missed conversion RNRL were now certainly up against it but there is a new belief in this current squad and for the next 20 or so minutes it was definitely the Brothers on top. The RN squad dug deep and turned the game in their favour with some quick work at the play the balls and superb handling putting the Hawks on the back foot. The first Navy Score came o the eight minute mark, back to back penalties got the brothers into the Hawks half and with strong work from the pack followed by some superb handling Steve Lockton got the ball out to Tommy Wilkinson who used both strength and speed to beat the defence and score a great try for his team out wide. Kev Botwood was wide with the kick so it was all square again. More quality play a few minutes later had the RN on the attack again, scrum half Lockton began the move with a deft chip over the defence which was gathered by Lewis Taylor and again swift hands brought the RN in sight of the line, Lockton had followed up his initial chip and took a great pass at pace to split the Hawks defence again to touch down again out on the Hunslet left wing. This time Botwood adjusted his kick perfectly striking the ball brilliantly to push the RN out to a 4-10 lead. The home side were now really up against it conceding more offside penalties the RN threatened yet again. This time despite more sublime handling Prop Richie Metcalfe could not take the ball cleanly for what would have been a try under the posts. Experienced Prop Lewis Taylor was next t threaten, strong well directed carries saw him get close before being tackled and having the ball stripped by the defence. Ref Laughton had no hesitation in awarding the penalty which Botwood easily tapped over to stretch the RN lead to 4-12. The RN continued to dominate both in defence as well as attack repelling the Hawks attack and responding with great carries to put the pressure back on the home side. This pressure told when yet again with the RN closing on the line the Hawks strayed offside and again Laughton awarded Botwood another simple kick, 23 minutes gone and it was 4-14. As the half drew to a close the RN were called on to show their defensive skills as the Hawks sought to regain the initiative, several sets o were repelled by the RN defence with the Hawks trying everything to beat the RN defensive wall. Despite crossing the line twice the RN held the ball up denying the score but in the dying moments of the half full back Ratcliffe sent 2nd Row Watson over close to the posts to give himself the easiest of conversions. That was it for the first half Ref Laughton bringing a great 40 minutes of Cup rugby to a close with the visitors ahead 14-10.
As to be expected the Hawks came out with much more purposes highlighted by the massive hits that were going in, despite this the RN stuck to their game plan and continued to threaten almost scoring another try but it was adjudged to have been a forward pass much to the relief of the Hawks and their fans. 15 minutes into the half the Brothers again crossed the line but this time Laughton judged that Mark Robinson was guilty of a double movement so the try was chalked off. Despite several knocks the rotation of players by Danny Johnson was keeping the RN on top. 20 minutes into the half the Hawks pressure finally told, a series of passes across the face of the RN eventually saw the ball taken by the vastly experienced David March who crashed over for the try despite more than a suspicion of obstruction the score was given. The conversion was missed so it remained all square. More strong defence kept the scores even but after 67minutes the home side went over for a try which was the breaking point for the RN. David March was again involved but appeared to lose the ball as he was tackled, the bouncing ball was regained by the Hawks and full back Ratcliffe touched down. It looked for all the world like a knock on by March but Laughton this time judged that the ball had been stripped legally by the RN however this put all the Hawks onside allowing them to gather to put Ratcliffe over, a very tight decision but the fatigued RN side perhaps should have played to the whistle rather than expect the decision in their favour. The Brothers were by no means out of the match and they gathered themselves for another onslaught on the Home line. This time however a slightly misjudged pass out to the RN right was intercepted by Danny Tuffour who raced the length of the pitch to score and effectively seal the match for the Hawks. For the first time in the match the RN let their heads down allowing the Hawks to post a couple more tries at the death to give a somewhat flattering final score of 34-14, this was not lost on the home fans who collectively breathed a sigh of relief as these last scores went in. Ref Laughton brought the game to a close to a massive round of applause for all the players and once the Hawks had left the field the Brothers received a standing ovation from the crowd especially the home fans who recognised the skills strength and motivation shown by the RN side as they matched the Hawks for over 70 minutes of the match.
An obviously disappointed RN side reflected on what might have been but irrespective of the result the whole team competed well in every area of the pitch, defensively sound for much of the match with an attack full of invention and flair the players did themselves proud a fact which has not gone unnoticed by the RL media. Covered by the leading Rugby League press the RN continue to improve their profile in the greater world. Although difficult and perhaps unfair to single out individuals Scrum half Lockton had a great game, Props Taylor and Metcalfe both had massive games backed up by their second rows. Mark Robinson put in another good stint both as skipper and at Loose forward before switching to hooker. Kyle Larvin continues to impress, safe under all the bombs the Hawks put in he was good at dummy half despite carrying a groin strain throughout the second half. Post match interviews with Kev Botwood and Danny Johnson were broadcast into the BFBS network and the RL press were also on hand for further interviews published un the weeks RL Press to build on the Brothers magnificent performance.