By Brandon Reeves
Huddersfield got exactly what they were looking for with no sign of complacency at Lockwood Park with a bonus point 38-17 victory over bottom side Peterborough Lions.
Nineteen points in either half for the hosts made sure that ‘Field kept their pace in the compelling National League Two North title race.
Lions were tamed with consummate ease but still managed three tries in the game when the result was taken care of and Field’s foot was off the pedal.
With the onus on the home side to make most of the running of the game, Guy Borrowdale’s quickfire double saw Field surge into a Twelve-point lead after ten minutes. Chris Johnson missed and scored a conversion each.
Borrowdale’s scores almost mirror images. Both times Field were going through the phases, testing the visitors’ defence. But at the try line on either flank for both scores, Borrowdale spotted his gap and lunged over the whitewash.
Throughout the rest of the half the battle was more even, save for a spell of Peterborough Lions dominance in Field territory when they were down to fourteen men after a Lewis Bradley yellow.
The only other score to come was from scrumhalf Joe Green to round off a lovely move involving Chris Johnson and man of the match Harry Whitfield. Field’s number ten found Whitfield in the 22 on the move before Green was released into open space for the try. Johnson’s kick rounded off the half nicely.
Tom Hodson’s try soon after the restart secured a bonus point for Field. Harry Whitfield made moves in this play to get his team in the 22 before Mark Pease then Lewis Bradley’s nice turn sent Hodson into the corner.
Thomas Lewis is credited with getting Lions on the scoresheet. A maul from a 5m lineout was taken over by the Peterborough wide forward. Nico Defeo kicked his conversion.
Lewis Workman continues his run of scoring with another one here. Five tries in his last six now for Workman from the wing who used his direct style to take a Chris Johnson crossfield kick and then dart through Lions and in behind.
But soon after it was Workman’s opposite number, Benjamin Peach with another for Peterborough. In the corner, Peach was invited into an acre of space for the score. Defeo missed his kick.
However, back came Field again and replacement Jack Maplesden made a decent break to wriggle through and pile on the misery for hapless Peterborough. Johnson hit the post with his kick, having a 4/6 record for conversions.
Lions were to have the last word with lock Chris Edbrooke, but the game was more of a procession after Field built up a 26-point lead. The fact that Lions kept going til the last whistle made it a game.
Head Coach Gareth Lewis says he was pleased by the attitude of the team on the day.
“I thought the attitude of the lads was excellent today and despite playing a team at the bottom of the league it was not an easy afternoon.
“After an excellent start we had to withstand long periods of pressure but we defended with great cohesion.
“Credit must go to Peterborough who were very resilient but five points was the aim and we managed to achieve that.
“There are plenty of areas to improve on next week in training ahead of a very difficult game at Hinckley.”
Top two in the league faced each other at Hare Lane as Chester knocked Hull Ionians off top spot. This allowed Fylde to climb to the summit with their victory over Hinckley. Huddersfield sit fourth just three points from top spot, and vitally, have two games in hand on Fylde, and one on Chester and Hull.
The title race is as exciting and open as it ever has been, with five teams having a chance of making it to National 1.
