Huddersfield RUFC head coach Gareth Lewis said his team’s performance in the 10-12 defeat to Luctonians on Saturday was unacceptable.
It was Round 5 of the National 2 North Championship and Huddersfield let slip a game they were well placed to win at half time. Two second half tries for Luctonians proved enough to secure them a 12-10 win. The defeat leaves Huddersfield 9th in the table.
On the performance Lewis said: “Today’s level of performance was not acceptable and we need a big response in training this week.
‘We got ourselves into a winning position and didn’t capitalise.”
Meanwhile victory for the visitors meant it was their first win of the season, and a return to Herefordshire having leapt four places in the table.
A penalty by fly-half Joe Potter on the half hour mark gave Huddersfield the lead which was extended six minutes later when hooker Liam Stapely crossed for the first try of the match.
Potter’s penalty produced an attacking line out and the try came from the catch and drive. Potter had no difficulty adding the two points from the conversion.
Half-time Huddersfield 10 Luctonians 0.
Having survived an initial onslaught from Huddersfield in the first 20 minutes of the second half, Luctonians turned the tables with two tries in quick succession. In their first attack of the half Sam Haylor managed to break clear on 65 minutes to score a try under the posts.
Fly half Lewis Parkes missed the simplest of conversions but five minutes later, when Huddersfield lost a defensive five metre lineout, they extended their lead with their second score. Aikman grounded the ball in the midst of an untidy maul for a try which was converted by full back Tom Jones.
Despite a last gasp attempt to win the fixture which the chance was scuppered by giving away a silly penalty. Huddersfield went down to a disappointing defeat.
The team travel to Stourbridge next Saturday for a game that will be a much tougher challenge.
Written by Richard Sykes.
Photos by Ray Morris.
