By D Whittle
Huddersfield’s National League III North promotion saga continues this weekend as they face a tough test against Beverley.
‘Field know just how dangerous their visitors can be, as they needed a last minute try to win at Beaver Park.
Manager Lee Paxman said: “They’re currently sixth and with more consistency they’d be pushing right at the top. They ripped our midfield apart in the reverse fixture so we need to be at our best”.
After last week’s crucial win at Westoe, ‘Field need 12 points to secure the title from their remaining four games.
Paxman said: “We’ve spoken at length about the opportunity we have put ourselves in. We know the importance of every game we are not taking anything for granted.
“There are five up for grabs today but the focus is on four points and anything else is a bonus”.
‘Field go into the game with a number of injuries as Alex Battye and James Davies could both miss out in the front row, as ‘Field may recall Laurence Sanderson.
Though ‘Field were guilty of switching off defensively last week, they will be buoyed by the performance of their backs that carved Westoe apart and by the one that also won them the reverse fixture.
Backs coach Ian Shuttleworth said: “We need to improve our defensive work, our one on one tackles need to be better and I think if we do that and we see more ball to give to our backs then like we saw at Beverley we can be really dangerous and effective going forwards”.
The fixture was expected to be ‘Field’s last home game, but the Yorkshire weather has meant that they still have to host Percy Park and Sandal after their trip to Billingham next week.
In what will be another crucial weekend for the club, ‘Field’s bid to bounce straight back up will go right to the final games of the season.
Paxman said: “We expect another close game today and we have put HRI on standby, especially if it is anywhere near as exciting as the game at Beaver Park”.
While the first team will have to be patient for glory, ‘Field have a massive final day to celebrate. Their academy side have reached the final of the Yorkshire Cup winning 12 – 8 away at Sheffield Rugby Club. A solid defensive performance means that they will play the final at Lockwood Park against West Park Leeds on Sunday 27th April.
Due to some injuries and unavailability, ‘Field will have some forced changes but selection will not be made until Thursday.
Predicted side to face Beverley
1. Laurence Sanderson
2. Antony Stringwell
3. Edward Birkhead
4. Gavin Rhodes
5. Nick Rhodes
6. Ross Thornton
7. Ben Hoyle
8. Nick Sharpe (c)
9. Joel Hinchliffe
10. Giles Hetherington
11. Mike Clarke
12. Tom Van Rooyen
13. Tom Owen
14. Elliot Hodgson
15. Tom Hodson
Subs
Gareth Richardson
Robert Sykes
Dan Jeffrey
