Higo hatrick adds gloss to fantastic Academy performance
Huddersfield Academy v Guisborough
Belmangate
10th November 2013
HRUFC’s Academy team travelled by coach to Guisborough, buoyed by the return of players to create what looked more like a fuller strength squad, targeting this as a big game. Huddersfield took the field with confidence that they could reverse the opening league weekend result which saw a strong Guisborough team beat Huddersfield 21-5 at Lockwood Park on 15th September 2013.
Understanding the importance of starting well, Huddersfield did just that, the impressive no 8 Callum Swift turning the ball over from the kick off which eventually resulted in a Huddersfield penalty for infringement at the breakdown. Lewis Workman kicked the penalty for an early 3 point lead to Huddersfield. Guisborough’s restart did not go 10m and that allowed Huddersfield to maintain the pressure, strong ball carrying from the magnificent Elliot Clemson ably supported by Jake Houlaghan kept Guisbouough on the back foot, until on the 10 minute mark, Workman flashed to the left hand side to put Jordan Higo away. Although tap tackled, Higo had enough momentum to put the ball down. Workman missing the conversion.
This jolted the strong Guisborough forwards into life and with Huddersfield’s ambition, in running the ball out of their 22m from the kick off, thwarted. Guisborough powered the resulting scrum and the power of their drives round the ruck area and an offload breached the Huddersfield defence for a well taken try, which the Guisborough fly half converted.
The game then settled into an entertaining hard fought battle for the gain line. Elliot Clemson always standing out with powerful ball carrying for Huddersfield, with the Guisborough inside centre giving his Huddersfield opposite number plenty of defensive work to do.
Huddersfield then scored right on the stroke of half time. A similar set to the first try, this time forward drives taking Huddersfield into the Guisborough 22m area, and an excellent miss pass play getting the ball to the always dangerous Chris Cooper who executed the 2 on 1 to put Jordan Higo away for the line. The defensive cover just failing to prevent Higo securing his second try in the corner. Workman missing the resultant conversion.
Half time – Huddersfield 13 – Guisborough 7
Huddersfield turned around with the wind and playing into the bottom left slope on the Guisborough pitch, with an objective of playing pitch position. Randall Grainger executing a number of excellent “wipers” style kicks off his left boot. Indeed it was the bottom left hand corner which provided Huddersfield next try, when fantastic vision from Workman manifest in a chip over the fast ruching Guisborough defence line for centre Chris Cooper to bide his time for the ball to bounce up nicely to score un opposed under the posts. Workman converted the 2 points. Huddersfield could smell the victory and when within 4 minutes of the Jordan Higo found space down the left hand line to score his third try, the game looked beyond Guisborough. Workman kicked the conversion.
However, the impressive Guisborough fly half and centre kept Guisborough attacking and found a way through for the outside centre to score with five minutes to play. The try converted by the Guisborough fly half.
In truth the game deteriorated towards the end with frustration and a degree of handbags but nothing to be taken away from two quality Senior Colts teams going at it hammer and tong to secure valuable league points.
Full time – Huddersfield Academy 27 – Guisborough 14
The Guisborough management voted Jordan Higo the man of the match, whilst the Guisborough 7 and 12 could not be separated for the return honour. For Huddersfield Elliot Clemson was immense and with Jake Houlaghan, Callum Swift carrying strongly and the “pocket battleships” Tom Logan and James Ervine getting through heaps of work in defence and the loose generally, Huddersfield had enough position to feed their impressive backline.
Elliot Clemson – standout forward display
Front row Mikey Hamriak, Clemson and Ashton Quashie did very well against a very strong Guisborough scrum and Miles Prescott and Will Bennett as usual provided plenty of quality ball from the Huddersfield lineout.
Thank you to the Guisborough club for their fantastic hospitality, the lads from both teams sharing the club house facilities afterwards.
