Huddersfield News
Posted 4/9/07
Huddersfield Falcons leave it late to win
Huddersfield Falcons beat Ilkley's 2nd XV, 27-24 at Lockwood Park, but they left it until the closing minutes before they took the lead for the first time.
In a sunshine start to another season of rugby, Huddersfield soon found themselves behind after Ilkley too the lead on 6 minutes with a try by their outside centre wide on the right. Penalties were exchanged by both sides and then after 26 minutes one of the Ilkley centres was yellow carded for persistent infringements by his team at the breakdown. This however didn't stop Ilkley scoring again in the opposite corner after the ball was spun out wide for their winger to touch down.
As is usual with many 2nd XV's, the Huddersfield team was a mix of experience and youth, and therefore it was no surprise that in this first game of the season, they made a nervous start. By mid way through the first half though, it was obvious that they still intended to make a match of it, when an up and under from Steve Rothery in the Ilkley half saw him take his own kick and pass to centre Lee Paxman who raced under the posts. Duly converted by Swift, the score was no 16-13 to Ilkley. Almost immediately from the restart, Ilkley tried to get over in the corner again, with only a fine covering tackle by Huddersfield hooker James Davies denying them a bigger half time margin.
The second half started with a penalty under the posts for Ilkley after Huddersfield were penalised at a ruck, and then a further try by the Ilkley right winger after confusion in the home defence let him in to take a bouncing ball. At 24-13 Ilkley were applying a lot of pressure to try and stretch the lead, and Huddersfield successfully defended 22 phases of play, and nearly 10 minutes in their own 22, with every man up to the task.
After this staunch defensive work, a fine run of 40 metres out of defence by back rower Gav Rhodes started to turn the tide in Huddersfields favour. Substitutions were now being made midway through the half, with fresh legs and better possession from scrums and line-outs adding to the Huddersfield impetus. Indeed the back row of Sharrock, Rhodes and Hodgson were prominent throughout in both defence and attack.
It was now Ilkleys turn to defend, and it was Huddersfield prop Pollock who was on hand to score under the posts after excellent pressure on the Ilkley line. The try was again converted by Swift taking the score to 24-20 to Ilkley.
This opem game could still have gone either way, but with minutes to go, space was created just inside the Ilkley half by excellent handling from Rhodes and Sharrock who put Davies in on the blind side. Stopped just short of the line, the ball was quickly recycled for the Huddersfield captain and prop McPhail to score under the posts, Huddersfield finally took the lead in the match for the first time.
A good and open game that could easily have gone either way was won in the end by a Huddersfield side that showed considerable commitment to the team and a "never say die" attitude.
Posted 6/9/07
Huddersfield 1st XV open the season on Saturday Sept 8 entertaining Sheffield Tigers kick-off 3pm. For members/supporters there will be a preceeding Pie and Peas Lunch - fork-in time 1pm. Comments Mark Sowerby: "Looking forward to the first league game is always like shooting in the dark a little. You're never sure how strong you are and who the main contenders will be until at least a month into the season. Sheffield Tigers have progressed rapidly over the past few years and are clearly an extremely ambitious club."
The Falcons are away at Sheffield Tigers and the "A" team at home to Cleckheaton while the Extra C visit Cleckheaton.
