By D Whittle
Huddersfield travel to bottom side Firwood Waterloo on Saturday, looking to carry on their perfect away record this season.
Having won all four of their away fixtures so far, ‘Field can also make it three wins in a row after hard fought victories against Sandal and Stockport.
Manager Lee Paxman said: “We’ve come through a tough block of fixtures against Rossendale, Sandal and Stockport and we are still well positioned.
“This fixture will be a real test so we cannot get complacent. Waterloo have signed a couple of players in recent weeks and their home record is much better than their away form.”
Waterloo have won just two fixtures this season, but have had to play seven of their opening 10 fixtures away from home.
But the hosts will look to their home fixtures to lift them off the bottom, having won their last outing at the Memorial Ground against Beverley.
Paxman said: “We expect they will look to play an open game, they score a lot of tries but concede a lot as well. We need to play smart, fill the field, defend well and when the opportunity arises, finish tries”.
But ‘Field will travel to Merseyside full of confidence and will be boosted by the news that the trio of Ben Morrill, Tom Owen and Alex Battye have been selected for Yorkshire’s training squad.
‘Field name the same backline for the first time this season after last week’s victory over Stockport.
After missing last week with a groin injury, Morrill returns at hooker whilst Nick Rhodes joins namesake Gavin Rhodes in the second row.
‘Field also have rewarded Ross Thornton with a start in place of Gareth Lewis, after scoring a try against Sandal two weeks ago, his impressive performances for the Falcons haven’t gone unnoticed.
Coach Lewis will be joined by George Hunt and Ed Birkhead on the bench, as ‘Field look to keep the pressure on leaders Rossendale, but to also hold off Sale.
After losing their opening three fixtures, Sale have since won all seven of their fixtures, as they trail Huddersfield by just three points.
Paxman said “We will need to be professional and make sure we do not slip up. If we do then Sale FC are ready to pounce and that will undo all our hard work so far this season.”
Going into the weekend as favourites, ‘Field will be lifted by the fact that their opponents have the worst defensive and offensive records in the league.
Further to this, a win this week for ‘Field will put massive pressure on both Sale and leaders Rossendale, who face each other next week as Paxman’s side will look to capitalise on any slip up.
1. Alex Battye
2. Ben Morrill
3. Antony Stringwell
4. Gavin Rhodes
5. Nick Rhodes
6. Ross Thornton
7. Ben Hoyle
8. Nick Sharpe
9. Joel Hinchliffe
10. Giles Hetherington
11. Elliot Hodgson
12. Tom Owen
13. Ben Mitchell
14. Michael Clark
15. Tom Hodson
Subs:
16. Ed Birkhead
17. George Hunt
18. Gareth Lewis
