By Richard Sykes
Huddersfield RUFC secured a well deserved win over Stockport under the floodlights at Lockwood Park in the first of their two pre-season friendly games.
Two tries in each half and three conversions by fly-half Joe Gallagher earned them a comfortable 26-5 victory.
After the game coach Rob Anderson said: “It was good to get a game under our belts. The players have worked hard in pre-season training and it was nice to be able to try things out in a match situation.
“We used different combinations of players and the newcomers fitted in well and added to our all round standard.
“I was pleased with the scoreline. We will keep building and are excited at the prospect of the forthcoming season.”
Field had the upper hand in the early scrummages and used their possession to take the game to the visitors. George Collins rounded off a promising spell for the home side with the opening try at the end of a first quarter, the big lock powering over from close range.
Stockport competed well throughout the first half but Field extended the lead with the final play. Winger Kian Stewart showed his class to cut through and gift the try-scoring pass to centre Lewis Workman. Gallagher added the first of his conversions to round off the half.
Field upped the tempo at the start of the second period with new back rower Lewis Quinn impressing in the loose. On 54 minutes he left tacklers in his wake as he battled through on a solo run from 15 metres out for try number three. Eight minutes later long-serving Field forward Ross Thornton did likewise down the right flank to notch the fourth try.
With 20 minutes to go Stockport mounted a period of pressure on the Field try line and the home side had to show their mettle in defence. Although the North West 1 outfit pressed for a sustained spell Field held firm.
Stockport got a well deserved consolation score on the stroke of full-time when right winger Ben Turner showed a good turn of pace down the touchline for an unconverted corner flag try.
Field travel to Hull Ionians for their second pre-season game on Saturday August 20.
