By Brandon Reeves
Tynedale will play host to Huddersfield this weekend in the rearranged fixture from February’s postponement.
Huddersfield travel to Tyneside on the back of three consecutive defeats in the league, and more recently an absolutely forgettable trouncing in Stourbridge last time out.
It will be against a side who are immensely formidable at Tynedale Park and Gareth Lewis knows: “It’s another tough challenge this week against a team playing some good rugby at the moment.”
Not too dissimilar to Stoubridge’s home form, Tynedale have lost just one match at home this season where they’re a force to be reckoned with. 10 of their 16 Try-bonus-points have come at home, and they are on a streak of nine wins on their own turf.
Tynedale have also have good league form of late, winning four of their last five, a big win over ‘Field could leave Saturday’s visitors in sixth come the end of the day.
But should Field come back down the A1 with a win they could be back in the picture for a top-two finish.
Huddersfield have a boost in selection with the returns of Guy Borrowdale and Lewis Bradley to the pack.
Guy comes in for his brother Tor, while Lewis Bradley’s inclusion in the back row sees Ross Thornton shuffle to hooker as Alex Battye is unavailable this time.
In the back-line Will Milner replaces Mark Pease at centre, Lewis Workman moves from wing to centre and Arthur Wilkinson returns to the wing after returning from injury. Jack Maplesden is back in the squad to start at no. 9 and Elliot Knight deputises on the wing for the unavailable Kian Stewart who is in action for Yorkshire Under 20’s on Sunday.
Again, ‘Field have a bare-bones squad, so preparation has gone ‘back to basics’ says Head Coach Lewis.
“We have gone back to basics a little this week in training and the players have taken real ownership of the areas we must improve.
“It’s great to have Lewis Bradley back in the mix as he’s a very influential character on and off the pitch and this will give the team an added boost. We are still stretched with up to thirteen players unavailable but this team is capable of pulling off the win providing every player plays to their potential.”
Huddersfield: Tom Hodson, Arthur Wilkinson, Lewis Workman, Will Milner, Elliot Knight, Chris Johnson, Jack Maplesden; Harry Whitfield, Ross Thornton, Adam Blades, Guy Borrowdale, Matt Dunn, Harry Woodhouse, Lewis Bradley, Dickie Piper(C).
Replacements: Reuben Pollard, Darren Neilly, Tor Borrowdale, Joe Green, Elliott Spiers.
