By Richard Sykes
Tries by brothers Kian and Fin Stewart, plus others by Liam Parfitt and Liam Stapley, put Huddersfield RUFC in the driving seat going into the final quarter of their opening league game at Hull Ionians.
However, three late strikes by the home side, the last one in the final minute, allowed them to steal the spoils and win 31-24.
Head coach Callum Thompson was pleased to secure two bonus points but frustrated by the last minute defeat.
He said: “We dominated possession and territory for the majority of the game. Our back line fired, we looked dangerous and had them in trouble.
“But, our lineout didn’t function. They have some strong operators in this area. They ‘old manned’ us around the lineout and the maul and, ultimately, that was what won them the game.
“The fine margins around the set pieces are so important at this level, you have to win your ball. Overall, I’m happy with the performance but we have a lot to work on.”
Kian Stewart gave Field the lead five minutes into the game, the winger took possession 18 metres out, rounded defenders and dotted down for a corner flag try. Fly half Will Milner added the extras.
Although hooker Ben Stephenson levelled with a try for Ionians, converted by Ben Smith, a converted touch down on the half hour by Field skipper Liam Parfitt, who burst clear in the centre to score under the posts, gave his team a 14-7 half-time lead.
Centre George Hotchen crossed for Ionians just after the interval and Smith’s conversion put them level again.
Field continued to threaten with ball in hand, Gaz Widdop orchestrating the go forward from the centre, and two unconverted tries in six minutes, mid-way through the third quarter, gave them a 10-point cushion.
Fin Stewart notched the first, receiving the ball wide out to finish a classic, back-line move in the corner.
Hooker, Liam Stapley, secured the bonus point with Field’s fourth by breaking through from 15 metres after a quick throw in.
Field held on to their lead until 15 minutes from time but, in a devastating closing spell, the home side delivered three hammer blows to take the game.
Hotchen got his second try on 66 minutes and when flanker James Sanderson notched his first, the score was tied at 24-24.
Both kickers were off target with their both their conversion attempts.
Field lost the services of Milner to a technical yellow card just before Sanderson’s try, which impacted Field’s game management and allowed Ionians to seize the initiative.
As the clock ticked down the Ionians kept up the pressure and Stephenson mauled over for the clincher in a final, trademark lineout, catch and drive.
Smith’s third conversion brought the scoring and the match to a close.
Huddersfield entertain Sheffield Tigers at Lockwood Park on Saturday (September 13) kick off 3pm.
Huddersfield: Parkin; Stewart F; Hainsworth; Widdop; Stewart K; Milner; Walsh; Bailey; Moore; Abbott; Garrity; Davis; Haywood; Bradley; Parfitt. Replacements: Scott; Baxter: Thompson; Stapley; Connor.
Main image of Kian Stewart by: RAY MORRIS
