Former Huddersfield Giants star and business development manager Robbie Hunter-Paul came out of retirement to lead Mirfield Stags to a 42-20 Yorkshire Men’s League First Division triumph at Bentley.
But the legendary Bradford Bulls star and current chief executive at the Championship club was still overshadowed on the day by full-back Ross Hayden who charged over for five tries.
Hunter-Paul’s inclusion meant the Stags still had a vastly-experienced half-back pulling the attacking strings, with the ex-New Zealand international taking over from the injured stand-off Francis Maloney, who was himself coach of the Stags on the day as Richard Silverwood was away on Super League refereeing duty in the South of France for the Catalans Dragons v Hull KR clash.
Not surprisingly, Hunter-Paul played a starring role as the Stags raced into an early 24-0 lead, with four unanswered tries during a totally one-sided opening quarter.
And the away side didn’t look back as they moved clear at the top of the table to continue an outstanding start to their first season.
Hayden finished with an incredibly impressive individual points haul of 32 from his five tries and six-out-of-six goal tally, while Oliver Rounding and Ben Mather also crossed for scores and Hunter-Paul grabbed his first points for the club with a goal.
