Report by Patrick Moore
Huddersfield 29-28 Broadstreet
Huddersfield RUFC came back in dramatic style to beat Broadstreet 29-28 in their final home game of the season. Gareth Lewis’ side overturned a 16-point deficit with just twenty minutes to go through a Chris Bell conversion after substitute Henry Ward scored a last minute try.
Lewis Bradley put the Field ahead midway through the first half when he broke through the heart of the Broadstreet defence in the Lockwood Park side’s first real chance, and Bell converted with ease under the posts.
But Broadstreet replied through Jack Gibbons, with Lee Chapman converting well. That dampened Huddersfield and the away side went ahead before the half time whistle when a lose pass found winger Myles Bean who scored with ease. Chapman again made no mistake with his conversion.
Huddersfield couldn’t find their feet early on in the second half either, and Broadstreet added to their lead through hooker Pierre Ferre, with Chapman on song. Full back Tom Hodson replied for Huddersfield with a tenacious run, although Bell kicked wide on the conversion.
After a succession of missed tackles from the Field, Broadstreet’s Beau Carney was allowed to score a try and Chapman’s perfect kicking continued, and with just 20 minutes to go the Field were 12-28 down.
That was until Lewis Workman broke through the visitor’s defence to give some hope, but Bell missed the conversion. The Field were inspired and when Workman broke, try-scorer Ferre was sinbinned for a professional foul. Huddersfield took full advantage and Hodson got his second of the match after neat play. Bell agonisingly hit the post from the conversion
Led excellently by captain Alex Battye, the home side knew they were just a converted try away from victory. Bradley broke through again and although just falling short of the line, Huddersfield got their try in the next play when Ward went over.
Bell put his past penalties behind himself and scored when it mattered most to end the season at home win.
“It is good to get the win on our last home game of the season,” said a pleased Lewis. “I feel like we’re slowly turning the ship as we build towards next season.”
“In the first half we were poor, but the second half was a complete transformation. We were more direct and started to make more hits in the defence and the boys pulled out a deserved win.
“We showed good character to win the match. Last week was hugely disappointing and today they played for their own pride. In the second half they certainly put in a very good performance.”
“I thought the young lads Lewis Workman and Lewis Bradley were terrific today. Workman made some fantastic line-breaks down the middle and Bradley in both attack and defence was brilliant yet again. I also thought Ollie Scrimshaw, who came on, made some great footwork to create the try at the end.”
Nick Sharpe returned after his lengthy suspension in the second half, and was delighted to be back helping his team to win.
“I had a few jokey jeers when I came on from the crowd but it’s great to be back,” laughed Sharpe. “It was a to-and-fro game and the lads turned up. It is hard to be on the side-lines because I’d much rather be playing, but it was really good to play again and the win topped it off.”
Coach Lewis added, “It was great to have Sharp back on the field because he’s a massive part of the club. He’s been missed around the camp and he returned very well today by turning the ship.”
Huddersfield’ face an away trip against South Leicester in their last game of the season in the National North II.
“We’ll approach next week in the same way; our standards will always remain high,” said Lewis. “It’s all about playing for pride and the club so we need to keep it positive so we can build again for next season.”
Starting XV:
15- Tom Hodson
14- Elliot Knight
13- Tom Owen
12- Lewis Workman
11- Tom Kanauros
10- Chris Bell
9- Joel Hinchliffe
1- Alex Battye
2- Ross Thornton
3- Laurence Sanderson
4- Nick Rhodes
5- Gavin Rhodes
6- Declan Thompson
7- Lewis Bradley
8- Liam Parfitt
30’ Tom Baxter for Laurence Sanderson
49’ Nick Sharpe for Declan Thompson
63’ Henry Walker for Ross Thornton
65’ Oliver Scrimshaw for Elliot Knight
68’ Henry Ward for Liam Parfitt
