Sharks push title favourites all the way in narrow defeat

Two unconverted tries proved enough for the visitors although Sharks head coach Brett Turner was extremely proud of his team and believed his side were unlucky to not get something from the game.

Hunslet opened the scoring with a swift passing move to the left wing giving winger Danny Harrison the space to get over the line for the only try of the first half.

Hunslet were put on a team warning after Joe Halloran was caught with a high tackle.

The visitors added their second try after 51 minutes when more swift handling put Omar Alwari over in the right corner.

Both sides started to build their error count as play was restricted to the middle of the field and Mark Stubley was sent to the bin for dissent after disputing a forward pass.

Hunslet were put on another team warning with 10 minutes remaining and a spirited display from the Sharks nearly saw them snatch a draw.

Sam Ottewell raced onto a clever kick from Danny Flowers over the Hunslet line and touch down between the posts.

Stubley returned to the field for Hunslet but the visitors were soon back down to 12 men as Danny Harrison was sin-binned for stealing the ball.

The Sharks were awarded a penalty but Flowers missed it as the final whistle sounded

Turner said: “We gave it a really good dig, I am proud of the boys. (Hunslet) are hot favourites for the title and they were meant to come here and walk all over us but we put in a really spirited performance and our defence was fantastic.

“Our attack was a little bit lacking but we have a lot of new players in the team so things like that will take time to click but you can always improve a team that can defend.

“I was disappointed because we really should have won but Hunslet are a very good team but I’m very happy with the performance.”

Shaw Cross travel to St Helens on Saturday as they face promoted Blackbrook aiming for a first win of the season.