Firwood Waterloo preview
Huddersfield RUFC will be eyeing a sixth win from six against Firwood Waterloo this Saturday.
The Lockwood Park side see themselves sitting four points clear at the top of National 3 North and will look to maintain their 100% start to the season against the Liverpool side who sit second from bottom.
Huddersfield were awarded their second consecutive 5-point win last week with a stunning second half performance away at Hull.
Gareth Lewis’ side were 10-7 down at half time after Austen Thompson broke the deadlock, but a second half performance blew the East Yorkshire side away.
Callum Thompson went over the whitewash twice along with Lewis Bradley, Dan Jeffrey and Brandon Conway, who got his third try in two weeks, in the second half to give Huddersfield a resounding 45-10 win.
Chris Bell also preserved his very impressive start to the season by posing another 100% rate from the boot including six conversions and a penalty.
“When we hit the 55th minute mark we were ruthless,” said Lewis. “We scored three tries whilst down to 14 men and that is testament to the players.”
“I thought we showed some real attacking intent and scored some great tries, and the real exciting factor for me is that there is still a lot more to come from us. We must eradicate these unnecessary yellow cards which puts ourselves under added pressure and we have got to be more clinical inside the attacking 22m.”
Meanwhile, Firwood Waterloo’s season couldn’t be any different to Huddersfield’s. They have yet to win a game in the first five fixtures of the season and only have points on the board thanks to a try and loser’s bonus point.
That try bonus point came last week against Ilkley where they lost 38-29 to the team sat four points behind Huddersfield. Waterloo were given credit that day and their performance did not give their league position and justification; similar to how Huddersfield were for large parts in last season’s National North 2 division.
Lewis said: “Waterloo are a proud club with a great history, and just ten years ago were playing in Championship. Although they’ve had some tough defeats this season, last week’s performance against Ilkley will give them increased confidence.
“We must approach this game in a professional way and get the fundamentals of our game right. With competition for places so fierce within the squad the lads know any complacency will mean somebody else gets the shirt.”
However, they have also come on the losing end of clashes against Doncaster Phoenix, Kendal, Hull and a 99-7 thrashing to Billingham; all of whom Huddersfield have beat this season meaning the home side go in to the clash as heavy favourites.
Lewis has also named the side, where Frances Entressangle is out with a minor back injury so Grappollos player of the month Lewis Bradley starts at Hooker.
Joel Hinchliffe returns to scrum half in the absence of the unavailable Dan Jeffrey and Mark Pease is named on the bench after a groin strain.
Huddersfield XV:
15. Workman
14. Conway
13. Hodgson
12. Owen
11. Grainger
10. Bell
9. Hinchliffe
8. Sharpe
7. Hoyle
6. Malthouse
5. A Thompson
4. Rhodes
3. Tamanis
2. Bradley
1. Pollard
Replacements
Morrill
C.Thompson
Pease
The Falcons are also at home against Harrogate Georgians, kicking off at 3pm on pitch 2.
The squad is:
Scrimshaw
Sharples
Clark
Harris
Knight
Kanarous
Granger
Black
Ward
Keighley-Payne
Neilly
Jeffries
Royds
Davison
Whitfield
Replacements
Hayes
Harvey
Baggs
A Brook
Walmsley
The club is having a social night after the game this Saturday and all members and guest are welcome. Stay after the game and enjoy an evening of music!
Courtyards will be playing in the main bar from 6.30pm. Music will be played all evening with the band performing two sets.
Food will also be included in the ticket price.
Tickets are priced at just £5 and can be paid on the night or in advance by calling the club office on 01484 469801.
