Huddersfield have the opportunity to increase the one-point deficit between the relegation zone and themselves in an all-west Yorkshire clash away at Wharfedale on Saturday.
Wharfedale currently hold a 1-point advantage over Huddersfield, and a defeat for the home side could see their opponents leap frog them and being to drift away from the drop zone.
Field have the form of a side brimming with confidence. With 3 victories on the bounce, they have come into 2020 with a renewed appetite and creativity, and a formidable vigour that has been too difficult to match.
Last week’s 25-15 win against fellow strugglers Preston Grasshoppers showed a dominant second half performance in which Gareth Lewis’s side will look to emulate throughout the entirety of the 80 minutes in Saturdays crucial tie.
“As a group we have identified areas we must improve and we worked hard to address these this week. As a player these are the games you want to play in and I know the lads are desperate to continue the excellent run they have generated.” Said Gareth Lewis.
Having lost 5 of their final 6 games of 2019, Wharfedale have needed to find another gear coming into the new year. Despite suffering defeat at Fylde at the start of January, they have won two and drawn one since then, and have the potential to damage Field with the same objective to avoid relegation.
On the balance of things, Wharfedale’s home record is strong. Only four of their 10 losses have occurred at The Avenue this season, and five of their eight wins have been obtained at home.
Wharfedale’s Coach Jon Feely said his side’s 25-17 victory at Sheffield Tigers last week was their “performance of the season so far”, which Is momentum that could prove to be a real challenge for Field.
The last West Yorkshire derby produced a 40-30 victory in favour of Wharfedale, and with the two sides currently sitting in precarious positions, this contest promises to be an equally exciting showcase of what it means to stay in this division.
Huddersfield have displayed their intent in previous performances, and now must retain the bragging rights against their territorial and league rivals to maintain their right to stay up.
“National Two North is incredibly close this season and appears to be going to the wire. Similar to ourselves Wharfedale are unbeaten in the last three games so it promises to be a great contest. Obviously, they had the upper hand on us earlier in the season which was pretty painful defeat but we will be fully charged for this one” said Lewis.
