Key Points
- Hunslet ARLFC claimed their second major trophy within seven days following a dominant 42-0 victory over Fryston Warriors at Castleford Tigers’ OneBore Stadium.
- The victory secured the British Amateur Rugby League Association (BARLA) 1973 Cup, a competition designed for clubs eliminated in the opening round of the BARLA National Cup.
- The triumph came closely on the heels of a 14-0 win against West Hull, which saw the south Leeds outfit crowned champions of the inaugural National League Premier Division title decider.
- Hunslet crossed for nine tries during the final, featuring double efforts from man of the match Craig McShane and Caelum Jordan.
- Head coach Sam Thorpe highlighted the defensive record, praising his squad for keeping consecutive clean sheets across both showpiece fixtures.
Castleford (The Leeds Times) November 2, 2026 – Hunslet ARLFC wrapped up a remarkable double within the space of seven days by securing a comprehensive 42-0 victory over Fryston Warriors in the BARLA 1973 Cup final at Castleford Tigers’ OneBore Stadium. The victory for the south Leeds side added further silverware to their cabinet just days after they recorded a 14-0 victory against West Hull to claim the inaugural National League Premier Division title decider.
How Did Hunslet ARLFC Secure the BARLA 1973 Cup Final Victory?
Entering the final as hot favourites against a Fryston Warriors side operating out of the National Conference Yorkshire B division, Hunslet proved far too strong across the 80 minutes. The newly crowned top-division champions asserted their dominance early in the contest, establishing an 18-0 lead by the half-time interval.
Hunslet fielded 11 players who had featured in the championship-winning performance the previous week, maintaining standard momentum to ultimately run in nine tries. Man of the match Craig McShane led the scoring with a brace of touchdowns, a feat mirrored by teammate Caelum Jordan.
Further tries were scored by Harry Dodd, Ryan Morley, Alfie Goddard, Joe Abson, and Ralph Normington. Goal-kicking duties were shared across the squad, with Harry Shackleton, Lewis Heckford, and Ralph Normington each kicking one goal to complete the 42-0 scoreline.
What Did Head Coach Sam Thorpe Say Following the Victory?
Reflecting on the double success, Hunslet head coach Sam Thorpe paid tribute to his side’s defensive discipline and overall season targets.
Thorpe stated:
“Fryston were, as we’d expected, dogged opponents, but nilling them means a lot to us. It’s great to have won two new trophies. We’d targeted three at the start of the season, only to miss out on the National League’s League leaders’ shield and the National Cup, but keeping Fryston scoreless after having done the same to West Hull shows where we are.”
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What Is the Background to Hunslet ARLFC’s Double Trophy Triumph?
The BARLA 1973 Cup is a structured competition administered by the British Amateur Rugby League Association, created specifically to offer competitive knockout rugby for teams knocked out in the first round of the primary BARLA National Cup.
Hunslet’s cup final victory over Fryston Warriors followed their success in the inaugural National League Premier Division title decider, where they defeated West Hull 14-0.
Across both showpiece matches, the south Leeds club conceded zero points, recording back-to-back shutouts against top opposition to complete their competitive season with two major honours.
How Will This Victory Affect Amateur Rugby League in South Leeds?
This recent silverware double reinforces Hunslet ARLFC’s standing at the pinnacle of the British amateur rugby league structure. For the club’s supporters, playing staff, and the wider south Leeds community, securing two inaugural and historic trophies in such quick succession establishes high standards for future campaigns.
The accomplishment provides a robust foundation for squad retention and player recruitment ahead of next season, while reinforcing the competitive strength of the elite amateur divisions in West Yorkshire.
