The Hawks made a decent fist of it but still conceded eight tries in this National League Two game as Gateshead took their points tally against them to 180 in four matches this time.

Hunslet showed great spirit to come from 12-2 down and take the lead 18-12 midway through the first half but the visitors always seemed to have an extra gear to turn on the style when needed.

Darren Robinson, played at stand-off, was in fine form and scored two tries and three goals to keep things ticking over. There was a good effort from Richard Chapman and Phil Hasty, despite the latter giving away the opening try in the first minute when his pass was snapped up by Neil Thorman who dashed clear for the score, Dan Russell adding the goal.

Darren Robinson landed a penalty but Gateshead turned down a shot at goal from a penalty and earned reward when Thorman went in for his second try, Russell adding the goal.

Hunslet then hit a good patch and produced some determined and lively rugby. Darren Robinson set things moving as he showed good strength to power in at the corner, his goal kick failed.

Then visiting second row man Michael Knowles was sin-binned for a high tackle and from the penalty Karl Gunney forced his way between the posts. Darren Robinson's goal leveled matters.

Three minutes later some good, open rugby by the Hawks enabled Darren Robinson to go in again and his goal gave his side a six-point lead.

But Gateshead are a handy side this season and also scored two tries in three minutes to again turn things as Ben McAlpine and Knowles touched down with Russell adding a goal to make it 18-22 at half-time.

The nip-and-tuck nature of things continued in the second half when McAlpine went over for his second try with Russell adding the goal but the Hawks came back with Chapman scoring a typical try from close in and Darren Robinson cut the gap to four points.

But Hunslet lost Ben Jones, sent to the sin-bin for a high tackle and in his absence Gateshead added tries through Dean Jamieson and a hat-trick score from McAlpine. Another goal by Russell made it 38-24.

Stewart Sanderson took his try tally against the Hawks this time to 11 and Russell added the goal and it was only slight consolation when Stuart Dunbar crossed in the last minute.

Hunslet Hawks: Larvin; Wall, Jones, A Robinson, Dunbar; D Robinson, Hasty; Hirst, Chapman, G Pennnington, Cook, Thewliss, Gunney. Subs: Moxon, Carbutt, Blanchard, Freeman.
Gateshead Thunder: Kain; Wilson, Neighbour, McAlpine, Sanderson; Thorman, Russell; Payne, Smith, Parker, McPahil, Knowles, Jamieson. Subs: Clark, Nash, Metcalf, Cakacaka.
Referee: Craig Halloran.
Att: 432.