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Thornton
leads Hunslet revival
IT
seems to have gone under the radar somewhat, but League One Hunslet are
developing into one of the success stories of the season.
The
club - who ditched the Hawks moniker in August 2016 as part of a renewed focus
on its rich history - hardly started the season as promotion contenders, losing
four of their opening eight games.
But
the last of those defeats - a stirring comeback against second-placed York that
fell just short - proved to be the turning point for a climb up the table.
Six
straight wins later - including a number where they have come from behind - has
moved Gary Thornton’s men up to fourth, level on points with third-placed
Oldham.
Last
Sunday they beat the Roughyeds in the latest of those comeback wins, with other
victories in the run coming against fellow play-off contenders Doncaster and
Whitehaven.
The
popular Thornton - who has a wealth of experience coaching outside the top
flight from his time at Batley, Doncaster and York - has built a talented side
with steely resolve.
Halfbacks
Joe Sanderson and Cain Southernwood are the men steering the team around the
field alongside experienced hooker Jack Lee, meaning that the pre-season loss
of George Flanagan to Bradford hasn’t been as damaging as it initially
looked.
There
is plenty of strike power out wide in the likes of David Foggin-Johnston,
Nathan Chappell and Mufaro Mvududu, with club stalwart Jimmy Watson still
producing the goods at fullback.
In
the pack, prop Matt Nicholson has overcome his horror run of injuries to play
his part, alongside the hard-working Brad Foster and Liam Mackay.
Thornton
himself says the team’s work ethic is also key.
“We are
physically and mentally fit, and that shows in how we are winning games late
on,” he said after the Oldham match.
Hunslet
and their group of loyal supporters are rightly proud of the considerable
history referenced above, and never more so following the recent passing of
club legend Geoff Gunney.
“Mr
Hunslet”, as he was widely known, died aged 84 at the start of June, and would
doubtless have been proud of Thornton’s side on Sunday on an afternoon that
marked his memory.
The
club website report noted: “On a day when people were celebrating the
life of Hunslet’s greatest ever player, Geoff Gunney MBE,
it was fitting that the team won against their very first Northern Union
opponent at Geoff’s beloved Parkside.
“This
season gets better with each game.”
The
club has confirmed it is looking to rename their home stadium after Gunney, and
that - alongside a successful promotion campaign - would be the perfect way to
honour his legacy.
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