By Ivaylo Ivanov
Huddersfield lost 21-19 away to Sedgley Tigers in a highly-competitive National League 2N clash on Saturday afternoon.
The defeat brought Field two places down in 11th with 26 points. The Tigers from Sedgley are now 4th with 36 points.
The first half of the game was dominated by Sedgley and they deservedly went into the break with a 6-point lead.
A completely transformed Field created numerous quality moments during the second half but only luck separated them from the victory.
The game started superbly for Huddersfield as a swift opening attack saw Nick Rawsthorne cross for a try just seconds after the first whistle to put his team 5 points ahead.
The hosts replied immediately and just three minutes later they were awarded a penalty, missed by Stephen Collins.
Another penalty was missed in the 10th minute by Huddersfield’s Chris Bell.
The team from Sedgley continued to put pressure on Huddersfield and in the 18th minute the score was levelled by Andrew Riley who scored a well-earned try.
The Tigers continued their offensive and two consecutive penalties by Stephen Collins, in the 25th and the 39th minute respectively, increased their advantage to 11-5.
Huddersfield’s Austin Thompson made a charging run through the middle of the Sedgley defence before being eventually stopped and result remained unchanged before the break.
A completely transformed Huddersfield went aggressively into the second half which resulted in a try by Nick Rawsthorne in the 47th minute. Chris Bell converted to make the result 12-11 in Field’s favour.
Twenty minutes of Huddersfield dominance followed but resilient Tigers backline kept the score unchanged.
After the 65h minute, the hosts took the initiative and five minutes later a penalty by Stephen Collins gave them the lead again.
Matthew Riley extended Tigers’ advantage to 19-12 scoring a well-worked try in the 72nd minute. Collins completed the conversion to make the score 21-12.
Late pressure from Huddersfield followed resulting in a try scrambled over by Nick Sharpe in the 79th minute. Bell’s conversion made it 21-19 but the time did not allow Field to prevent the Tigers’ triumph.
Sedgley Park: Leader, Riley, A, Wainwright, Riley, M, Strong, Collins, McShane, Ashcroft, West, Black, Davies, Parkinson, O, Crous, Emerson, Lamprey.
Sedgley Park substitutes: Hymes, Berry, Parkinson, R, Urmston, Wilkinson.
Huddersfield: Hodgson, Rawsthorne, Martin, Owen, Clark, Bell, Jefferey, Battye, Thornton, Sanderson, Rhodes, Thompson, Malthouse, Hoyle, Sharpe.
Huddersfield substitutes: Ward, Purcell, Bills, Lewis, Hinchliffe.
