Huddersfield Aiming To Get Back On Track Against Stourbridge
Huddersfield will be looking to build on the second half display shown from last week’s game at Tynedale as they welcome Stourbridge to Lockwood Park.
Although the trip up north resulted in a 33-18 defeat, the second period showed plenty of positives for Field as they were unlucky not to claim any points to add onto the league table.
Field had given themselves too high a mountain to climb after allowing Tynedale into a healthy 26-8 lead at halftime, but if the second half performance can be mirrored this weekend then they stand every chance of walking away with a more positive result.
Head Coach Gareth Lewis has commented in the build-up: “Despite last week’s scoreline we feel we took the shackles off in the second half and played some of our best rugby. We must have the same mentality from the start of this week.”
“The challenge is to have the control, discipline and concentration to problem solve our way through games which we’ve worked hard on in training.”
They’ll need to show all those qualities against a Stourbridge side who romped to a 43-19 victory against Wharfedale in their most recent National 2 North fixture.
That has left them in 6th position as we enter matchday 10 in the league, with 8 bonus points earned so far earmarking the competitiveness they have provided to all the sides they have faced throughout the season so far.
Inconsistency has what halted them from pushing at the very top of the league, with no real run of form generated so far but having shown the quality to compete against anyone they face having picked up 5 wins and 4 defeats so far.
Lewis highlights how the visitors this weekend “are always a big, powerful side and have one of the form players in the league in Dan Rundle on the wing” as Field are well aware of the threats that Stourbridge possess, and a solid defensive effort will undoubtedly be required to try and stifle a side who are the 4th highest point scorers in the league.
No small part of that has been the efforts of Rundle, who tops the current try scorer charts with 13, and will be looking to add to that tally this weekend to stretch his lead over the chasing pack.
He will provide a stern test for Field throughout the game and will need to be marshalled carefully to contain his attacking threat.
If Field can do that and show their own qualities which have come through in flashes this season, then they stand every chance of coming away with a positive result.
