Spirited performance earns Huddersfield well deserved win
In an exciting thriller at Lockwood Park the metronomic goal kicking of fly half Harry Davey kept the scoreboard ticking forward for Huddersfield to earn them their fourth straight win.
The team made a lively start and the first of Davey’s six penalties gave them the lead on four minutes. Two minutes later they were overtaken when Tigers hooker Dann Maher touched down after a well constructed drive from a five metre line out. The conversion by Steve Collins added two more points.
Throughout the match the Tigers backs handled and passed the ball beautifully but when Davey intercepted one of their threatening attacks inside his own 22 and outpaced his pursuers to score a converted try ‘Field were back in front.
Tigers attacking flair did deliver further tries on 28 and 38 minutes but in between good spells of pressure from the home team yielded penalties which Davey landed clinically to keep his side ahead. Winger Jamie Harrison got the first, touching down in goal following a well crafted cross field punt with Maher adding his second on the right flank. Huddersfield looked to have weathered the Tigers threat when they were awarded a penalty close to their line but were made to pay when full back Lewis Workman failed to find touch with his kick. Tigers ran the ball back with interest to set up a line out and try three was the result.
In first half stoppage time Huddersfield flanker Lewis Bradley received a yellow card but when Tigers kicked touch in goal from the resulting penalty they missed a golden opportunity to take a lead into the break.
Huddersfield went further ahead when Davey landed another penalty after half time but a full house of drop goal, try, conversion and penalty in a tidy twelve minute spell by Tigers looked to have taken the game their way. Collins was the scorer of the three kicks with the drop goal being a particularly classy effort after the Huddersfield defence had halted the Tigers forward momentum. Andy Riley scored the try after a neat off load from lock James Lloyd who breached the Huddersfield line with a powerful break.
The home side produced a spirited and determined response with Ben Morrill setting the come back in motion with a blistering break which rocked the visitors back. Workman almost crossed having cut a nice running line in a subsequent phase but Tigers had offended in their efforts to keep Huddersfield at bay and Davey narrowed the gap with another flawless kick.
With five minutes remaining ‘Field’ looked to have missed a final chance to steal the game when they kicked touch in goal from a penalty. However they regained possession from the 22 drop out and retained and recycled the ball well with both Jonny West, who had taken over at fly half, and Davey turning nicely out of tackles to get close. Eventually with time almost up Number 8 Richard Piper drove over for a try which Davey converted to create a two point lead.
However the drama wasn’t over. From the re-start Tigers worked the ball into the Huddersfield 22 and ‘Field’ had to mount a final rear guard action in a prolonged stoppage time spell. Eventually possession was regained and the ball hoofed off the park to seal victory.
