Huddersfield Welcome Preston in Crucial Fixture
Huddersfield will be looking to continue their climb away from the National II relegation places when they welcome fellow strugglers Preston Grasshoppers to Lockwood Park.
A superb return of 12 points from 15 since returning in the new year have seen Field inject some much needed momentum into what had been a stuttering campaign thus far, and will want that to continue against a Hoppers team which is threatening to be cut adrift in the relegation battle.
A 28-17 win against bottom side Scunthorpe was unspectacular but professional from Field last week and they will be looking for something similar against a team which they claimed a 29-22 victory against earlier in the season with a last gasp Kian Stewart try.
Preston meanwhile suffered late agony in their most recent fixture last week when a late Wharfedale score saw that game finish in a 26-26 draw, and they will be desperate to pick up some positive results sooner rather than later as they look to drag themselves out of trouble at the wrong end of the table.
It promises to be an enthralling fixture, not least after the drama of the previous meeting but also with what is at stake for both sides for what direction their season will take.
Head Coach Gareth Lewis has commented; “Momentum is a massive thing in sport and it’s strange how quickly things can change over the course of a season.”
“The roller coaster of emotions involved can be extremely challenging at times, but this is one of the major reasons we are involved in the game.”
“There’s no doubt about it, the confidence is slowly coming back and all credit to the players. However, we must stay true to ourselves knowing that only with continued hard work and application will we begin to climb the league table.”
Three try bonuses alongside a tighter defence have helped Field on their positive start to 2020, and another big effort from regular contributors in recent weeks will give them a good chance of making it four from four.
Preston won’t make it easy for them though, having only conceded 18 points in their two trips away from home since the start of the new decade, but Field have shown already this season that they know how to overcome their Lancashire counterparts.
A win for Field could move them as high as 9th depending on results elsewhere, whereas Preston could move within six points of safety if they win and scores go their way.
The game will undoubtedly be as competitive as the previous meeting between these two, but demonstrate the qualities they have been doing in recent weeks once more and Field have a very good chance of coming away with another positive result.
By Ben Brown
