IN THE lead up to Friday Night Lights, we will be counting down some of our favourite fixtures since the event’s inception in 2006.
Today we are revisiting our 2019 fixture which saw Skolars narrowly lose to Hunslet 30-34 in the final play of the game.
After a delayed kick-off due to problems on the M1, Hunslet opened the scoring through Halafihi. Skolars responded after Hunslet fullback Jimmy Watson spilled a high ball, resulting in prop Liam Scott scoring the first for Skolars.
Skolars extended their lead through Jerome Yates and Jordan Williams, who scored tries off the back of a long pass from Neil Thorman, and a short kick from Jermaine Coleman, respectively.
However, Hunslet’s Tom Ashton scored the following set when the visitors’ kick-off found touch.
Both sides were reduced to 12 when Judd Greenhalgh and Ryan Wright were sin-binned for throwing punches. Hunslet’s Adam Robinson scored soon after, with the successful conversion levelling the scores going into the break.
Hunslet regained the lead early in the second period through Mike Emmet. After a Hunslet break was pulled back for crossing, Skolars took advantage with Thorman’s pass to Williams finding the centre with space out on the left.
After Matty Davies picked up a loose ball, he and Iliess Macani made good yards, before Richard Wilkinson went over on the right. Mike Bishay then picked up the kicking duties, adding a penalty five minutes later.
The South Leeds side fought back, first forcing a goal-line drop-out, before Lancaster scored in the corner off the back of a Simon Brown kick, Brown converting his own try to level the scores.
Skolars took four unsuccessful drop goal attempts, with the last resulting in a dramatic turn of events.
After the attempt sailed to Hunslet’s left edge, Calum Lancaster raced almost 100 metres before Omari Caro brought him down inches from the try line.
Hunslet were then well positioned for a drop goal attempt, but Skolars’ quick line speed saw them shift the ball to their right edge where Gareth Potts scored – in the corner on the final play of the game.
For tickets to this year’s Friday Night Lights Fixture and exclusive Challenge Cup prices, go HERE
