By Richard Sykes
Injury-hit Huddersfield RUFC went down to their first defeat at Lockwood Park since March 2024, beaten 38-15 by Tynedale.
Field drew first blood with a Tom Hainsworth try but the visitors hit back with three of their own, including a brace by winger Jack Edwards, in a first 40 they dominated.
A superb try by Kian Stewart in the final quarter proved consolation only for Huddersfield as Tynedale tightened their grip, with three more tries in the second half, to finish comfortable victors.
Huddersfield head coach Callum Thompson was philosophical after back to back defeats and said: “It’s been a tough couple of weeks with injuries and a lot of disruption.
“Despite the result I was pleased to see the lads giving their all, with a number finding their feet at this level.
“I thought Tynedale built pressure well and fully deserved the win. You can see why they finished second last year.
“We will move on and build for another tough game next Saturday.”
Hainsworth’s opener came after 13 minutes. A penalty to touch set up an attacking lineout and play moved inside from the maul.
After three phases the centre received and powered through for an unconverted try.
Dale hit back with a sustained assault and after Field were penalised, close to their line, Dale opted for the scrum at which they were pressured into a penalty.
Relief was short lived and when Field overthrew at the lineout they found themselves defending again. The ball found Edwards on the right wing, who went in at the corner for the equaliser.
As the first half drew towards it’s close Dale took the lead with two tries in quick succession.
After centre Gaz Widdop was sin-binned Owen Vassallu crossed behind a solid scrum and Edwards got his second. Fly-half Joshua Leslie landed the first conversion of the afternoon.
Just before half-time Will Milner replied with a penalty from 40 metres to take the score to 17-8 to Dale at the break.
Field suffered another setback just after the re-start when Leslie cruised in behind the sticks for the bonus point try, which he converted.
Despite being on the back foot Field showed real intent in attack and worked hard to find a chink in Dale’s defensive armour, producing their best spell after Leslie’s score.
A couple of faltering lineouts let Dale off the hook and the visitors took play back to the other end.
Field managed to wrest the ball back and Stewart launched a stunning counter attack with winger Ben Cawte-Davey in support.
Although Cawte-Davey was tackled into touch Field continued to threaten. Cawte-Davey took a quick tap penalty and when the ball went wide to Stewart it took another fine tackle to stop him.
Stewart eventually crossed with 13 minutes remaining, racing through a gap after a couple of well worked phases. Widdop converted with ease.
Hopes of a late comeback were instantly dashed when centre Oli Green charged down a clearance kick from the re-start and won the foot chase to the loose ball to dot down.
As the clock ticked down hooker Isaak Keller scored in the maul from an attacking lineout for Dale’s final try. Replacement fly-half Cameron Grant converted both late tries.
Huddersfield travel to Sedgley Park on Saturday October 3. They were playing in National 1 last season, it will be another tough test.
Huddersfield: Foreman; Cawte-Davey; Hainsworth; Widdop; Stewart; Milner; Walsh; Bailey; Stapley; Abbot; Garrity; Myers; Johnston; Conner; Bradley. Replacements: Thompson; Gilroy; Brough; Moore; Glover.
Image by: Elias Charlton
