Huddersfield RUFC ‘ready to put in big performance’ against Sheffield Tigers says Gareth Lewis
Huddersfield travel to South Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Tigers with the relegation race becoming ever tighter in National II North.
Following last week’s narrow defeat against Wharfedale, Field sit 2 points above Otley who currently occupy the last relegation place.
With Otley travelling to a stuttering Loughborough Students, it is vital for Field that they walk away with something from their trip to the south of the county.
Sheffield themselves haven’t had the best of times since returning for 2020, a narrow victory against Preston their only success in 5 attempts and come into this fixture having lost 3 on the bounce which has seen them drop down to 8th in the table.
Field will be hoping to compile their hosts misery but know all about the threats they can produce having been humbled 32-17 when they visited Lockwood Park in the reverse fixture.
Will Milner was the only point scorer for Field with a penalty in the 10-3 defeat to Wharfedale, and will want to continue to add to his personal points tally as he looks to move up the top points scorer charts where he currently sits 7th with 139.
Meanwhile regular try contributors will be hoping to get back on the scoresheet after conditions at The Avenue last weekend made it virtually impossible for any Field player to cross the whitewash.
Sheffield have let in 88 points from their last 3 fixtures and Field will be looking to exploit that record as they look to claim their first try bonus in 3 matches.
“It was disappointing to lose at Wharfedale last week but there were many positives to take from the performance and the group have had a very positive attitude in training this week” Head Coach Gareth Lewis has commented.
“Sheffield Tigers have had a good season so far and have taken some big scalps but the league is incredibly tight and they are one of many teams still in danger of being dragged into the dogfight near the bottom.”
“They totally outplayed us in the corresponding fixture earlier this season so we must show what a Huddersfield team is capable of on Saturday. Despite last weekend’s defeat I believe we are on a roll and ready to put in a big performance.”
Sheffield, sitting 9 points above the drop zone currently, are sinking into trouble with this poor run since the new year and will be desperate to get some points on the board sooner rather than later.
Field have been on a roll in that same period however and last weeks result aside have been playing their best rugby all season and will be determined to show last week was a mere bump in the road.
It’s all set up to provide a fascinating clash between two Yorkshire rivals as the 2019-20 National II North season looks set to enter another dramatic conclusion.
Team:
15 Tom Hodson
14 Kian Stewart
13 Elliot Munnelly
12 Will Milner
11 Lewis Workman
10 Charles Morgan
9 Jack Maplesden
1 Callum Thompson
2 Liam Stapely
3 Alex Battye
4 Guy Borrowdale
5 Nick Sharpe
6 Liam Parfitt
7 Lewis Bradley
8 Dickie Piper (C)
Subs:
16 Josh Crickmay
17 Fran Entressengle
18 Pat Power
19 Joel Hinchcliffe
20 Cail Cookland
