HUDDERSFIELD RUFC JUNIOR COLTS TRIUMPH IN THE MUD – Sunday 3rd January 2016
Huddersfield U17s visited local rivals Old Brods for a friendly fixture, arranged to give both sides some game time after a long layoff.
In wet and muddy conditions both teams showed considerable handling skills to produce a gripping clash between Brods, third in Division 1 and Huddersfield top of Division 2.
Playing up the hill in the first half, Huddersfield applied the early pressure band this resulted in an intercepted try and conversion by Harry Newman to open the scoring 0 – 7
Brods big pack responded with driving mauls and only strong defence by the visitors kept them until late in the home side were able to move the ball out wide to snatch a try which went unconverted. 5 – 7
All the defensive effort and playing up the hill in strength sapping mud was having its toll on the Huddersfield players and with no subs to call on they were tiring as the first half seemed to go on forever. It was in the 47th minute that Brods kicked a penalty goal to take the score to 8 – 7
Playing down the slope in the second half Huddersfield used a kick and chase tactic to keep Brods in their own half which allowed Newman to kick a penalty goal to take the score to 8 – 10
As the weather got worse the standard of play from both teams just got better with fierce tackling, strong rucking and driving mauls, this was no place for the faint hearted!
From a strong attacking position the ball was spun out to Newman who took a direct running line to burst through the defence to score and convert his second try. 8 – 17
Brods were kept in their own half by the Huddersfield kicking game and when they tried to run it out they were well tackled and if they tried to kick out the ball was returned with interest. Using their territorial advantage Huddersfield repeated the tactic to release Newman who was able to wrong foot the defence to score his hat trick try and conversion. 8 – 24
Brods had the advantage of having a number of subs to use and they are a determined and skilful team so it was no surprise when they came back at Huddersfield, working their way up field to a 5 meter line out from which they completed a catch and drive to score and convert 15 – 24
The final whistle eventually came to the relief of the tired but happy Huddersfield players and friends and foes applauded each other off the pitch, knowing that they had been involved in tough and uncompromising local derby.
