Midlands Hurricanes overcome difficult conditions and resilient opposition for first league win since April

It was a return to the winners circle for Midlands Hurricanes, but only after overcoming difficult conditions and tough opposition.

The Hurricanes achieved their first Championship win since April against Goole Vikings at Avery Fields in Bearwood on Tuesday night (June 23), scoring seven tries from seven different scorers in a 38-20 win.

However, while the scoreline makes it look like a comfortable win, it was anything but for Midlands Hurricanes as a determined opposition, hot and humid conditions and a number of unforced errors made it a tough evening for players and fans.

The game, which was a rearranged fixture due to Midlands Hurricanes run in the 1895 Cup, started with Goole conceding five penalties, but the home side could only capitalise after the fifth one, with captain Jon-Luke Kirby crashing over.

However, the visitors were not bowed and scored three tries in nine minutes through Tyler Craig, Keenen Tomlinson and a length-of-the-field effort from Connor Barley, with two successful conversions from Jack Miller making the score 16-4.

While the home side made a number of unforced errors in attack and defence, as well as James Woodburn-Hall being judged to be held up over the line, they did lessen the gap with a Ryan Johnson try in the corner, leaving the halftime score at 16-10.

Whatever head coach Mark Dunning said at halftime much have had an effect as the Hurricanes began to dominate in possession and defence and after Woodburn-Hall finally scored a try, the momentum shifted to the home side.

Tries from Ollie Roberts, who forced his way over from close range, and Cian Tyrer, who went over on the left wing, built a gap, although there were still a few fraught moments, including Tyrer inexplicably throwing a loose pass in front of the line that nearly gave away a score for Goole.

After Todd Horner scored a try near the posts to take the Hurricanes past 30 points, the away side did find space for Brad Bullock to score under the posts and leave it as a 10-point game with three minutes to go.

However, any jeopardy went away after a late handling error gave the home side excellent field position and Tyler Dickinson became the seventh different home player to score with a try under the posts as time expired, with a Sully Medforth conversion making the score 38-22.

Midlands Hurricanes were able to celebrate a long-awaited and much-needed win with supporters, with a larger than expected crowd enjoying the game, and will take a well-earned break before returning to action on July 12 away at Batley Bulldogs.

Midlands Hurricanes

1 Todd Horner

22 Cian Tyrer

3 Ryan Johnson

2 Matty Chrimes

23 Aidan McGowan

30 James Woodburn-Hall

19 Sully Medforth

8 Jon Luke Kirby

9 Aiden Roden

10 Tyler Dickinson

11 Tom Wilkinson

12 Oliver Roberts

20 Toby Warren

Subs (all used)

15 Elliot Morris

16 Zeus Silk

26 Ethan Newboult

28 Isaac Shaw

Tries: Kirby (10), Johnson (34), Woodburn-Hall (43), Roberts (50), Tyrer (69), Horner (73), Dickinson (80)

Goals: Medforth 5/7

Goole Vikings

5 Callum Shaw

2 Tom Halliday

4 Keenen Tomlinson

1 Josh Gudzek

18 Connor Barley

6 Mackenzie Harman

7 Jack Miller

40 Tyler Walton

22 Callum Rutland

10 Tyler Craig

11 Brett Ferres

3 Cooper Howlett

9 Jeylan Hodgson

Subs (all used)

16 Harry Medlicott

19 Ben Hodder

25 Brad Bullock

44 Jack Smith

Tries: Craig (18), Tomlinson (22), Barley (27), Bullock (77)

Goals: Miller 3/4