There was also hard work as the sheer drive and enthusiasm of the visitors helped force the home side into a series of mistakes and Hunslet took full advantage.

The Hawks dominated the first half and then put the effort in on defence in the second when Rochdale threatened a winning rally. There was a fine lead from the forwards with Wayne Freeman coming on as substitute to produce a big stint.

The craft of Darren Robinson and Richard Chapman, who was at loose forward, was always a big factor and Karl Gunney continued his improvement while Keegan Hirst also made his presence felt.

In the backs there was an impressive showing from Ben Jones, who was quick to create chances and took his own in good style.

The Hawks started well with Gunney making good ground on several occasions. He helped gain the position for Nathan Larvin to dart over and Darren Robinson added the goal.

Rochdale responded with an unconverted try at the corner by Alex Brown but Jones led the Hawks back and Darren Robinson landed a penalty to stretch their lead.

Hunslet kept up the pressure and Glen Pennington crashed over from close range for his first try for the club, Darren Robinson landed his third goal.

Good approach by Hornets led to a try from Carl Alcock, goaled by Carl Sneyd, but the Hawks came close when Stuart Dunbar made the line but was pushed back before he was able to ground the ball.

It made little difference as the hard-running Freeman charged through for a try and Darren Robinson's goal made it 20-10 to the Hawks after only 25 minutes.

Darren Robinson tested the home defence with some good tactical kicking and it was no surprise when just before the break Jones took advantage of a dropped ball to sweep through for the try and Darren Robinson added his fifth goal.

Things got even better for the Hawks soon after half-time when they produced a good chase of a long kick and four players drove in to tackle Brown, who spilled the ball. From the scrum Mark Moxon did well to force his way over with Darren Robinson landing another goal.

At 32-10, the Hawks seemed well in control but were given a sharp reminder things were not over when Hornets grabbed 12 points in three minutes with tries by Martin Ainscough and Todd O'Brien with Sneyd adding both goals.

The Hawks tightened for a time until Jimmy Elston sent Sneyd crashing over and he added the goal to make only four points in it.

This was when Hunslet's experienced campaigners showed their worth with Chapman and Freeman bossing matters and youngsters Gunney and Hirst giving good support to drive the ball in.

They stretched their lead with a Darren Robinson penalty, his seventh goal of the game, then Phil Hasty added a neat drop-goal to put his side two scores clear and seal victory. Little wonder the small band of Hunslet fans celebrated.

Rochdale Hornets: Andrews; Brown, Sneyd, Spurr, Campbell; Ainscough, Hough; Hill, Elston, Newton, Alcock, Sinfield, Hughes. Subs: O'Brien, C Robinson, Cunliffe, Sozi.
Hunslet Hawks: Bramald; Larvin, Cook, A Robinson, Dunbar; Jones, Hasty; Hirst, D Robinson, Pennington, Thewliss, Gunney, Chapman. Subs: Moxon, Carbutt, Freeman, Blanchard.
Referee: Matthew Kidd.
Attendance: 538