By L Hammond
Huddersfield could secure their fourth straight league win with victory over winless Sale.
Both clubs enter this weekend’s fixture in contrasting form, with Huddersfield buoyant after securing three convincing victories in their opening League fixtures. Sale have disappointingly lost their first three matches of the league campaign, with their last two losses coming to a combined 11 points.
If Huddersfield win the fixture and secure their fourth league victory, it will equal the clubs best winning run in the past three seasons and could push them to top of the league table.
Sale currently lie second from bottom in the league standings in 13th position but Huddersfield Manager Lee Paxman is wary of threat the Sale pose regardless of their league position: “Sale are a new side and by all accounts have been very unlucky this season, we’ve done our homework and when this team gels they will be a dangerous side.”
This weekend’s match will be the first meeting between Sale and Huddersfield in a competitive fixture. Huddersfield also tackled previously unknown opposition in their last league fixture against fellow promotion chasers, Burnage. Huddersfield emerged convincing victors, scoring 42 points to Burnage’s 8. Although the victory goes some way to establishing Huddersfield as promotion contenders, Manager Paxman is keen the squad remained grounded: “ Last week’s performance was excellent but on review of the footage we believe we still have another level to reach as team and we will be working hard to improve again this week.”
The team will feature several changes from the previous fixture against Burnage. Winger Ben Mithcell is replaced by Jack Moon who returns from Injury to take his place in the side. After coming on as a replacement and scoring two tries against Burnage , Adam Sutcliffe replaces Howard Hanks on the other wing. Will Brian is called up to the first team squad for the first time after several strong displays for the Falcons.
There could yet be another change to substitute’s bench with George Hinchcliffe on standby to replace Gareth Lewis. Lewis is on standby himself as he awaits the imminent arrival of his second child, which could see him whisked away from the match day squad.
The match is a 3pm kick off at Lockwood and (like all season) admission for minors is free. Huddersfield Falcons are also in action this weekend as they travel to Selby, the match is also a 3pm Kick off.
1st XV vs Sale
1. Alex Battye, 2. Ben Morrill, 3. Antony Stringwell, 4. Gavin Rhodes, 5. Nick Rhodes, 6. Gareth Lewis
7. Ben Hoyle, 8. Nick Sharpe, 9. Joel Hinchliffe, 10. Tom Hodson, 11. Adam Sutcliffe, 12. Tom Owen, 13. Michael Clark, 14. Jack Moon, 15. Elliot Hodgson
Subs
16. William Brian, 17. Gareth Lloyd Lewis, 18. Dan Western
