By Richard Sykes
Huddersfield slumped to a heavy defeat in Northumberland at the hands of Tynedale. The home side continued their recent run of good form, scoring nine tries, to run out winners 53-19 in the National 2 North clash.
Tynedale built their well deserved win on a solid performance by their pack and ruthless punishment of Huddersfield’s defensive mistakes and lapses in concentration.
Head coach Gaz Lewis said of the defeat: “We just weren’t at the races. Collectively and individually we must defend better, otherwise you get punished at this level.”
The home side got off the mark in the fourth minute with a try by winger Guy Pike, which was converted by fly half Jake Rodgers. Two minutes later winger Kian Stewart delivered a swift riposte for Field with a corner flag try, raising hopes of a keen contest.
However three unconverted tries by Tynedale before the half hour left the visitors playing catch up for the rest of the game. Lock Graham Dunn, full back Rob Parker and winger Seamus Hutton were the Tynedale scorers.
Number 8, Ben Blackburn, increased Tynedales’s lead with the first of his two tries shortly after the half time interval, with Rodgers adding the conversion.
Field produced a determined response to the second half set back and Sam Nunn narrowed the gap with a try on the hour. Centre Will Milner added the extras. Blackburn’s second try fifteen minutes later restored his team’s advantage, but controversy surrounded the build up.
From inside their own half, Tynedale kicked to touch inside Field’s 22. The the ball appeared to cross the line on the full but Tynedale were awarded the throw in at the lineout and Blackburn took his chance.
Toby Walker was introduced from the Huddersfield bench to make his first team debut. The 22-year-old Northumbria University student is a product of the club’s thriving Age Grade system and the young prop acquitted himself well at tight head.
An action packed final ten minutes produced four more tries. The home side blitzed their visitors with three in five minutes. Replacements Ross Cooke and Josh Leslie got the first two with Parker rounding off the try scoring for Tynedale with the last of them. Scrum half James Blackett converted the last two.
Field had the final say in proceedings when Walker put his front row partner, Liam Stapley, in for the team’s third try. Milner’s successful conversion was followed by the final whistle.
The result leaves Huddersfield second from bottom in the National 2 North table with just four wins from 20 games played. They host Loughborough Students at Lockwood Park on Saturday.
Huddersfield: Hodson; Stewart; Workman; Milner; Knight; Law; Mason; Thompson; Stapley; Smith; Pearson; Sharpe; Parfitt; Bradley(c); Brown. Replacements: Walker; Nunn; Davis; Potter; Brook.
