“We know that we can mix it with the best” Gareth Lewis says as Huddersfield host highflyers Hinckley
Huddersfield RUFC finally get back out onto the Lockwood Park pitch after 6 weeks away when they welcome Hinckley to west Yorkshire.
Storm Ciara and Dennis both battered the playing surface to see the home fixture against Tynedale cancelled twice over, so a welcome return for Field to a pitch where they’ve won both their 2020 fixtures on in relative comfort thus far.
Promotion chasing Fylde were the first in the new year to experience that with a 32-15 reverse and now Hinckley, another side pushing for the playoff spot have their chance to try and halt what has been a resurgent Field side since Christmas.
The visitors will fancy their chances however, a remarkable run of 9 wins on the trot having seen them rise from mid-table obscurity to within 4 points of the playoff position holding Fylde, and having not tasted defeat since only narrowly going down 19-18 to Chester on 14th December.
Field ran the high flyers extremely close in the reverse fixture, a thrilling 36-33 victory for the Leicestershire side which was only sealed through a try with the last action of the game, so revenge is on the cards for the hosts after that gutting defeat in November.
A victory would be ever sweeter given the nature of that defeat and the opportunity to compete against one of the form teams in the division, but also to keep Field rising away from the dreaded relegation zone as the season draws towards its close.
A bonus point win could see Field rise as high as 9th, though crucially extend the gap on Otley in the final relegation spot to 12 points depending on what result they claim against an also struggling Sheffield Tigers.
Head Coach Gareth Lewis has commented: “The big games just keep on coming and this Saturday is another massive game for the club. I can’t praise the lads enough, since Christmas the attitude has been outstanding.”
“Hinckley arrive on the back of a nine-game winning run which is extremely impressive. However, records are there to be broken and if we play to our potential, we know that we can mix it with the best National II has to offer.”
“After three consecutive games on the road I know the lads are looking forward to running out at Lockwood Park and I ask the Huddersfield public to come out in force to get behind their team.”
With both teams desperate for points to reach their respective goals, the game promises to be hotly-contested, entertaining viewing, and one which Field will want to win to continue their perfect Lockwood Park start for the new decade.
Line-up
15 Tom Hodson
14 Harris Morris – Home Debut
13 Lewis Workman
12 Will Milner
11 Elliott Knight
10 Charles Morgan
9 Jack Maplesden
1 Alex Battye
2 Fran Entressengle
3 Josh Crickmay
4 Louis Frear
5 Nick Sharpe
6 Liam Stapley
7 Liam Parfitt
8 Lewis Bradley (C)
Replacements
16 Callum Thompson
17 Ross Thornton
18 Pat Power
19 Arthur Wilkinson
20 Cail Cookland
