Huddersfield look to bounce back in Yorkshire derby against Sheffield Tigers
Huddersfield will be looking to get back to winning ways this weekend as they host Sheffield Tigers in National 2 North.
A 30-40 loss to Wharfedale last weekend followed back to back victories against Scunthorpe and Preston Grasshoppers for Field, and they will be hoping to get back on the winning trail against their South Yorkshire counterparts.
Field had shown good play in the scrummage and lineout in last weekends narrow defeat and will have to show similar effectiveness against a Tigers side which claimed a 27-18 victory last matchday against Luctonians.
Despite Fields effectiveness from these scenarios it was defensively where they struggled and which allowed Wharfedale to claim the amount of points they did, an area which they will surely have to improve to gain a 2nd home victory of the season.
Head Coach Gareth Lewis admitted in the buildup: “We came down to earth with a bump last Saturday against Wharfedale. At this level of rugby basic defensive errors are punished and it proved to be the case last weekend. Rugby is played with the hearts and minds and we must find the right balance on Saturday.”
Before Wharfedale’s visit to Lockwood Park, Field had previously shown real grit to claim a narrow 25-24 victory over Scunthorpe in their previous home game, a characteristic which Lewis has highlighted will be required to secure another positive result this weekend.
Lockwood Park proved a tough ground for any team to come and claim points last season, and Lewis has rallied his troops in the build-up as they look to bring back that home fortress mentality this weekend: “Over recent seasons we have built Lockwood Park into a tough, uncompromising place to play rugby. We have the physicality, skill, composure and attitude to beat anyone in the league on our day.”
“This weekend I want the players to play with passion, desire, hunger and ‘empty their tanks’ for the jersey”.
Sheffield Tigers meanwhile have got themselves back on track with back to back victories following a run of 3 successive defeats.
Tigers showed good spirit to overturn a 15-10 deficit at half time to come back and win last time out against Luctonians, and will likely have to show similar character if they are to gain a result at Lockwood Park this weekend.
Both sides will be looking for the win in a game which will undoubtedly provide an intriguing spectacle, one in which Field will hope they can claim their 3rd victory of the season.
Starting Line Up –
15 Kian Stewart
14 Dave Martin
13 Lewis Workman
12 Will Milner
11 Elliot Knight
10 Cail Cookland
9 Joel Hinchcliffe
1 Callum Thompson
2 Liam Stapely
3 Alex Battye
4 Guy Borrowdale
5 Tor Borrowdale
6 Liam Parfiit
7 Lewis Bradley
8 Dickie Piper (C)
Replacements
16 Reuben Pollard
17 Louis Frear
18 Harvey Keighley-Payne
19 Tom Owen
20 Ross Whitmore
