By David Whittle
HUDDERSFIELD RUFC kick-off their first preseason game against Preston Grasshoppers on Saturday at Lockwood Park.
Preparing for a tough season ahead, Saturdays opponents will prove an equally difficult challenge.
Preston finished fourth in the National League 2 North Division last year and will look to be one of the favourites for promotion this year.
But Huddersfield’s new staff, along with some new faces, are looking forward to the challenges that await them.
With a line-up that includes new signings like Tom Hodson and player-coach Gareth Lewis, Huddersfield have prepared well for the new campaign.
The fixture on Saturday is one of two preseason games, both against higher division opposition, with the second coming against Dudley Kingswinford two weeks later.
‘Field will then kick off their season at home to Billingham on the 7th of September.
Set to be a competitive game, despite the preseason status of the occasion, all spectators will be admitted for free.
The preseason game against Grasshoppers will be a good test of their conditioning drilled into them by former armed forces instructor Rob Leighton.
Huddersfield will need to put all of their preseason training into practice, as the team plays together for the first time. Looking to gel against a solid Preston side, Field will hope to neutralise England Counties player Sean Taylor who is amongst their ranks.
Saturday 17th August – Lockwood Park – FREE ENTRY
HRUFC Falcons v Preston 2nd XV – 1:30pm
HRUFC 1st XV v Preston Grasshoppers – 3:00pm
1st XV
1. Alex Battye
2. Ben Morrell
3. Anthony Stringwell
4. Gavin Rhodes
5. Nick Rhodes
6. George Hinchcliffe
7. Ben Hoyle
8. Gareth Lewis
9. Joel Hinchliffe
10. Tom Hodson
11. Adam Sutcliffe
12. Tom Owen
13. Mike Clarke
14. Ben Mitchell
15. Elliot Hidgson
16. Loz Sanderson
17. Robert Syke
18. Ryan Smith
Falcons
1. Jack Smith
2. Taras Santar
3. Joe Sheilds
4. Edward Birkhead
5. James Bodsworth
6. Ross Thornton
7. Feargus Haston
8. Henry Ward
9. William Brian
10. Jon Coles
11. Alex Brook
12. Tom Van Rooyen
13. Danny Chappell
14. Elliot Knight
15. Oliver Scrimshaw
16. TBC
17. TBC
18. TBC
