By D Whittle
Dinnington RUFC – 0
Huddersfield Falcons – 74
Ross Thornton scored a hat-trick as Huddersfield’s Falcons blend of youth and experience emphatically defeated Dinnington.
Although the Falcons were able to draw upon seniors players, Field will be encouraged by how well the young players have settled into the side.
Thornton has featured for the first team this season and scored a try away to Sandal.
Captain Henry Ward was instrumental in the one sided affair, as he continues to challenge for a first team spot. But he is also key in helping to settle the new players.
He said: “We try to get them down to training and to commit, we get them a bit more into the social side of things, we form a good bond and when we’re out on the pitch it all adds up.
Everything clearly worked out for Field as they set out their intensions early. With the freedom of Lodge Lane to play the ball, Field looked comfortable from the first whistle as Ross Thornton opened Fields account for the day.
The Falcons soon went further ahead, as Harry Whitfield wrote his name on the scoresheet, before Elliot Knight scored the try of the game. His pace and power was too much for the Dinnington defence, as he beat several defenders to score. At this point, Fields class was really beginning to show.
It was then Alex Battye who further increased Field’s lead. The home side were unable to deal with the power of Battye, as he powered through the defence. Having missed the first team’s game against Sale earlier this month, the prop will have been glad to get a run out here.
Before half-time, George Hunt and James Davies, who have both featured in the first team this season, added their names to the score sheet as Field led by 36 after 40 minutes.
Having signed Tom Bills from Bradford & Bingley, the youngster was keen to impress. Having had a decent first half with the boot, despite the blustery conditions, he scored under the posts as Field asserted their dominance.
It wasn’t long before Thornton had his hat-trick. As he scored again after half-time, there was just time for Andy Kirk to add his name to the list, before Thornton added his third to cap a fine performance.
But the Falcons inspirational captain was also able to score and will not have done his first team ambitions any damage with his own display. Ward’s try was the penultimate score, before Olly Dennis completed the demolition.
Despite what was a clinical attacking display, Field defended when they had to and resolutely kept Dinnington out.
Ward said: “We always aim to get no points put on the board against us. We had to get the lads to step-up defensively, stepping up in defence is key as always, low tackles, chop them low, I couldn’t ask for much more really and nilling someone just puts the icing on the cake.
As the Falcons continue to march on this season with another massive win, Ward is keen to keep the players focused week by week.
He said: “It’ll be the same as every week, go to training, do the basics and just try to keep going as a team. Bringing in the players, a bit more communication and working on our skills. Phil will now what we need to improve on and we’ll work with him to improve”.
