By Richard Sykes
Huddersfield RUFC scored six tries and inflicted only the second defeat of the season on league leaders Scunthorpe in their game at Heslam Park.
Five tries came in a dominant first 40 minutes and three courtesy of Huddersfield’s flying wingers Fin and Kian Stewart, with the former bagging a brace. The final score was 42-36 to Huddersfield.
Assistant coach Martin Haywood said: “We came with a solid game plan which we executed very well in the first half to gain a healthy lead.
“Our tackling was strong and we moved the ball well and played good, open rugby. We had a bit of a wobble in the second half but you couldn’t fault the determination and decisiveness of the boys.
“They applied themselves and defended really well, particularly at the end, which is what won us the game.”
A schoolboy error gifted Scunthorpe an early spell of pressure from which they opened up a seven-point lead. When Scunthorpe’s opening kick was returned several Field players strayed offside.
From the penalty Scunthorpe set up a five-metre lineout on the back of which hooker Matt Mason crashed over for the opening try with fly-half Ethan Taylor landing the first of his four conversions.
The visitors then settled and started to play with fluency and intent. Ten minutes into the game Field secured turnover on halfway and when the ball reached the left-wing, Kian Stewart showed the Scunthorpe defence a clean pair of heels and Will Milner put Field back on terms by converting his try.
Although a Taylor penalty briefly restored Scunthorpe’s lead it didn’t knock Field out of their stride and further tries by Lewis Workman, Ed Barber and Fin Stewart secured the attacking bonus point in a high scoring half hour.
Workman’s try followed a breakthrough by flanker Francis Estressengle who had centre Max Horsfall in close support. When a Scunthorpe defender slapped Horsfall’s offload in-goal Workman pounced.
Kian Stewart turned provider for Barber’s try. The paceman produced a 40-metre sprint from halfway and slipped Barber a deft inside pass as he neared the try-line to give the big centre the easiest of finishes.
Fin Stewart got the first of his tries when Scunthorpe lost possession on their 22. Stewart found himself in a ‘one on one’ situation against one of Scunthorpe’s large forwards and the right winger cruised around him with ease to dot down behind the posts. Fly-half Milner converted all three tries.
In the midst of the point scoring spree Milner missed a penalty and Scunthorpe added to their tally when flanker James Dyson intercepted and raced over open ground for a converted try.
As the first half drew to a close Field produced a prolonged spell of pressure on the Scunthorpe line. The home side mounted a valiant defence but in the end it was breached when prop Ethan Myers was driven over for a try which Milner converted to bring the half to a close with the score at 28-17 in the visitors’ favour.
Scunthorpe produced a strong and determined start to the second half and 10 minutes into it they had secured the try bonus and narrowed the gap with two more scores.
Dyson got the first, seizing his chance when the ball sprang loose from defensive hands and prop Cameron Christie got the second from a powerful close range maul after Scunthorpe secured possession when Field were penalised at a scrum.
Field responded and had chances to extend their lead in a good attacking spell. Dyson was yellow carded when he pulled down a Field maul as it headed towards the whitewash but when the lineout from the penalty was lost the attacking momentum went with it.
Tempers frayed and Field prop Loz Sanderson and Scunthorpe centre Laurence Pearce were sent to the sin bin to cool their heels where they were joined by Horsfall halfway through their 10-minute spell in it.
Five minutes after the end of the yellow card spree Scunthorpe regained the lead when full-back Josh Lugston came into the line and scorched down the left wing for a try behind the posts with Taylor’s conversion giving them a one-point advantage.
The match-winning score came with eight minutes remaining. Milner fashioned a clever grubber kick through the Scunthorpe line which was pursued at pace by Fin Stewart who took full advantage of a friendly bounce to race home unopposed.
After Milner’s conversion a nail-biting spell for supporters from both sides was interrupted by a serious knee injury to Christie but after he was aided from the pitch Field held firm.
Huddersfield remain in fourth place in the table, 14 points behind Scunthorpe, with a game in hand. They entertain Selby in their final match of 2024 at Lockwood Park on Saturday December 21 (2.15pm).
Image by: BILL RHOADES
