Falcons - NEWS

Huddersfield Falcons Match report

25th October 2008

Cleckheaton Away

The Falcons have not had a fixture for 4 weeks for no fault of their own so it was nice to resume playing with a league game against local rivals Cleckheaton.

As per normal for the Falcons the team had a number of changes from the last team that played. A good number of our Academy players helped out by benching and giving half a game. What was equally pleasing following contact with the university we had a new player on the wing, Matt Kinge from Basingstoke.  It was also nice to see 4 players from the A team, Nico, Adam, Locky and Ben and their age and experience was a key to the result.

Huddersfield started at a brisk pace retaining possession from the kick off and following 2 mins of pressure captain ‘Spike’ sold an outrageous dummy to stroll casually under the posts for Matt Johnson to convert. This was shortly followed with a penalty 5 metres out for Falcons stalwart ‘Shielsy’ to brush off some feeble tackling and score, again Matt Johnson converted.

Unfortunately, Huddersfield took their foot off the pedal and gave a number of penalties away to allow Cleckheaton to keep possession and apply some pressure and they were rewarded with a try.

From this moment the game swung from one side to the other. Huddersfield got a try for debutant Matt Kinge on the wing following a break from ‘A’ teamer Locky. Again Cleckheaton were allowed back in but Huddersfield replied with a try for Academy player Sam Scott. Sam was man of the match with an outstanding performance. Unfortunately we only have him for 1 more game before he travels to South Africa to play cricket with Yorkshire. We wish him all the best-but hope rugby stays his first love!!

Turning around at half time 24-12 up but playing into a strong headwind Huddersfield was going to have a tough 40 mins. Academy centre TVR was replaced with Ashley Donkersley for his Falcons debut. Academy prop Alex Battye replaced Nico and following a hamstring injury to Matt Johnson Academy player Tom Owen came on to the wing. Again Cleckheaton took their opportunity to score and keep Huddersfield in their sights.

In a game disjointed by a number of penalties Cleckheaton maintained possession to take another score and bring the game to 26 – 19. Huddersfield quickly responded with some intense pressure from their forwards and the ball was moved wide to academy stand off Tom Owen on the wing, who took his try well and followed it with an excellent conversion. As had become routine in the game Cleck fought back and were again rewarded with a try which they failed to convert.

Huddersfield held on to win 31-24. This gives them a 50% record in the Yorkshire Premier second team league with 2 wins in 4 games.

The league table and results can be found on the Yorkshire RFU website.

 http://www.yorkshirerfu.co.uk/Yorkshire_Competitions/MPremier.htm