There’s no doubt that unlimited interchanges across a 21 man squad that hasn’t played together before hardly helps the cause. But Hornets struggled to find purpose against a Hunslet side that already looks solid, settled and assured on the back of three friendlies.

Indeed, by the time Hornets’ new look outfit got to grips with the game a midge’s before the hour mark, Hunslet had racked up 18 points and had the look of a side happy to declare.

The misery began for Hornets travelling supporters after just seven minutes; a one handed pick-up from acting half by former Spotland favourite Darren Robinson gave him time and space to scoot through a static defence and plant the ball under the black dot.

It was another ex-Hornet who deepened the gloom after half an hour. Matt Firth picked out winger Cunningham with a peach of a pass and he shrugged off a poor attempted tackle by Fagborun to score by the flag. Robinson added insult to injury by slotting over an exceptional conversion on a blustery afternoon.

As Hunslet continued to give the ball plenty of air and kick Hornets back deep into their own half, the visitors flailed and flapped; passes thown to no-one, aimless sideways running. Not pretty at all.
Half-time 14-nil and the tea bar queue filled with head-shaking Hornets before the peals of the klaxon had faded.

Hunslet started the second half as they’d played the first. Expansive football shipped the ball wide and, this time, Freeman rounding Fagborun to score. 18-nil and some studious examination of their shoes by the visiting supporters.

The addition of Rob Ball, Craig Robinson and Ryan Benjafield did give Hornets a little more firepower in the pack and, off the back of good drives, Svabic and Goulden strung together Hornets first meaningful sequence of passes to send Corcoran in.

But Hunslet hit back. Great footwork and a delicate chip-and-chase from Dale Harris had Chris Giles scrambling back to shepherd the ball dead. From the ensuing quick tap, 'Pogo’ Patterson skipped through a hastily reforming defence to sprint 80 metres and score; pulling a hamstring in the process.

Whilst still juddering on three cylinders, Hornets had finally gained some momentum and when Andy Gorski stepped through tackles to score - and Corcoran added the extras - Hornets were in with a sniff at 18-16 with six minutes remaining.

Out of nowhere, there was a muted hint of expectation, and as Hornets drove a set of six deep into Hawks territory, the visitors had a realistic platform to steal the game. Instead, new boy Matt Whitaker reacted to something said in the tackle and - with four tackles remaining - proceeded to punch Murgatroyd’s lights out.

Mr Hewer showed him the red card and, probably before he’d reached the dressing room, Hunslet had hoofed the penalty 50 metres and worked the ball around for the aptly named Walkin to put the game to bed.

Reflecting on the game Darren Abram said: “We had two new half backs playing with a new hooker for the first time, a couple of new props, anew back rower and Tommy Goulden back after six months out. There were lots of players getting used to each other.”
He went on: “We’re a friendly short, whether I can arrange one for next week I don’t know. Although I’ve always said that the problem with them is that you can pick up injuries.” Indeed - Patterson, Fagborun and Benjafield all limped from the field with apparent pulls.

So let’s all chalk this one up to experience and move on.