The first match of the season on the Battlefields between the League Champions and the Yorkshire Cup winners turned out to be a cracker with the lead changing hands and the visitors grabbing a point with an interception try at the end with Drigh on top, leading by six points and going for the kill. Both teams had strong squads out and the tackling in the first half was ferocious, both teams defending for all they were worth and counter attacking whenever possible but it was Hunslet that made the breakthrough when they set up a move on Drigh's line to the top right hand corner. Drigh repelled the attack but when the ball was swept out wide a quick play-the-ball saw them score a try from Richard Hazelwood from acting half back. Drigh tried to hit back but the visitors defence was up to keeping them out and it was half an hour later that Drigh scored a try to level the scores and what a try it was. Drighs forwards Jarrett and Pennington tore a hole in the Hunslet defensive line and two inside passes gave Tom Moorby the opportunity to show his pace and skill. The speedy winger took the ball and raced 60 metres, rounding the full back and outpacing the rest of the chasing defenders to touchdown under the posts. Sanderson added the conversion to give the home side a slender lead just before the break but Drigh were not finished and brought the ball back to halfway from the kick off and Ryan Jacksons kick was collected by Kevin Doyle and the centre fed Sanderson who romped over at the posts for Drigh's second try. Sandy also converted to make the score 12-4 at the break. The second period started in the same breakneck speed and Hunslet reduced the arrears with a good try from prop Jamie Fields, crashing over having taken a short pass near the line and using his weight to smash his way over the line. Fields also converted to bring the scores to within two points but Drigh kept up the pressure and Luke Pennington finished off an attack which started in Drigh's half and finished over the visitors line. The match was now turning towards the home side who went close on a few occasions, just missing out on scoring by desperate Hunslet tacklers who were visibly wilting and Drigh had more of the possession towards the end of the game but then came the interception. Drigh were pressing on Hunslets line and they worked a three man overlap on the left but Sandersons long final pass was read by Old Boys stand off Luke O'Mally who took the pass and raced away leaving Drigh wondering what had happened . O'Mally also converted to level the scores and the last five minutes were all Drigh as they tried to retake the lead. Two drop goals were attempted and missed, the second one being attempted when there was a two man overlap on the touchline but the wrong option was chosen in the heat of the moment and both teams shared the points Drigh looked at this game as a point lost but the Hunslet management team were delighted with the result as the draw did not reflect the game.
Report by: Geoff Hillier