Hunslet 32 Bears 30 - Betfred League 1, Round 16

Both teams went into this contest knowing that only a win was good enough to keep play-off and promotion, dreams alive.

And the Bears almost clinched it with a few minutes to go as Chris Cullimore crossed over the line, but no try was given, and the score stayed the same as the minutes and then the seconds ticked away.

So, Hunslet are still in the mix and the Bears are not, despite having their best season to date, chalking up notable victories against long established sides, Hunslet included, but only at their Butts Park home.

However, beneath that close scoreline lies a familiar story……….

It took nine minutes for Hunslet to take the lead as Harry Kidd scored the first try of the afternoon, converted by Don Brambani.

Next over was Reece Chapman Smith for the home side and again his try was converted.

The Bears mustered a response courtesy of a Peter Ryan try.

But then the home side ran amok, scoring a further three tries before the half time hooter, with Coleman, Young and Straugheir all getting their names on the scoresheet to end the half on an imposing 26-6.

And then came the powerful Bears comeback as Hayden Freeman scored early in the half, and then Sam Bowring did the same with Dan Coates continuing t add the extras.

Hunslet’s Halafihi gave the home crowd some respite with a try, but soon it was all Coventry again.

Matty Welham narrowed the defecit, as did Dan Cotes and these two scores put the Bears within just two points of clinching a victory.

And then came the deciding moment as Cullimores try was disallowed, and that was it, as the score stayed an agonisingly close 32-30.

The Bears now face two more trips away from home as the season draws to a close, against Doncaster and then at Rochdale, but that dream of a play-off place has now evaporated.

Speaking after the game, Head coach Richie Squires said;

‘I can’t fault our lads for effort, especially away from home against a team like Hunslet who are chasing a promotion place, but we can’t keep on giving teams a head start and then having to always fight back’