By L Hammond
First Team Manager Lee Paxman is adamant his side will have to call upon their speedy back-line to overcome lowly Penrith.
Although the forecast for this weekend’s fixture seems set for rain, Paxman is urging his side to play to their strengths and not be afraid to play running rugby: “We are a fast side so the heavy pitches are not doing us any favours. Ben Mitchell, Mike Clark, Elliot Hodgson and Tom Hodson all have so much speed so we are definitely hoping the wet weather is behind us.”
Huddersfield enter this fixture top of the table, searching for their tenth straight league victory and knowing a win could push them eleven points clear of promotion rivals Sale.
Although the club would seem in rude health, the squad has been hit with the news that both Centre Tom Owen and Hooker Ben Morrill are likely to miss the rest of the season through injury: “They are both likely to miss the campaign with knee injuries, Ben has had an MRI and we are awaiting the results and Tom is awaiting an MRI but both don’t look promising.”
Owen and Morrill join Player Coach Gareth Lewis on an increasing long term injury list. Flanker Ben Hoyle is also missing for this week’s fixture as he recovers from a concussion as the injury list begins to mount for Field.
Falcons Captain Henry Ward steps up to replace Hoyle on the Flank and Paxman is quick to seek the positives of his extending injury list: “Henry gets his first start of the season and it’s great to see the depth of quality we have in our squad, most teams in our division would be struggling if they had our injury list but we have a great bunch of lads and those who step up are more than ready.”
Huddersfield travel to Penrith for a 2pm kick-off, all fans who can make the journey are encouraged to travel and support the side. At Lockwood Park this weekend the Huddersfield Falcons face Sheffield Medicals. The match is 2:15pm kick off and all fans who cannot make the journey to Penrith are asked to show their support for the Falcons at Lockwood Park.
Hudd 1st XV vs Penrith
1. Alex Battye, 2. James Davies, 3. Tony Stringwell, 4. Gavin Rhodes, 5. Nick Rhodes, 6. Bob Sykes, 7. Henry Ward, 8. Nick Sharpe, 9. Joel Hincliffe, 10. Giles Hetherington, 11. Michael Clark, 12. Tom Van Rooyen, 13. Ben Mitchell, 14. Elliot Hodgson, 15. Tom Hodson
Subs: 16. Edward Birkhead, 17. Ross Thornton, 18. William Brian
Falcons vs Sheffield Medicals
1. Takis, 2. Paul Armitage, 3. Jack. Smith, 4. Ben. Royds, 5. Egor. Popovschi, 6. Olly. Dennis, 7. Joe. Kaye, 8. George. Hinchcliff, 9. Dan. Jeffery, 10. Tom. Bills, 11. Elliott. Knight, 12. Harry. Whitfield, 13. Howard. Hanks, 14. Alex. Brook, 15. Olly. Scrimshaw, 16. George. Hunt, 17. Joah. Bradley, 18. Andy. Kirk, 19. Ajibola. Oki
