Results - Under 16's

U17'S FLOODLIT CUP 5TH MARCH 2008

HUDDS U16'S V HUDDS U17'S

The 16's took to the pitch without regular stand off Sam Dumigan (suspected fractured ankle), Will Hepworth (back injury), Tom Widdop (starring in the West End again!), and Rocky Mitchell (ill). Josh Engwell twisted his ankle in warm up and managed the first 2 minutes before realising he couldn't walk, let alone run. Tom Guinan (back from his month in the twilight zone) came on as a winger (!) but soon the 16's realised this wouldn't work and moved him to the back row and brought 'Mr Utility' Ross Baggs out to the wing. The opening exchanges were as expected with the 17's playing some solid rugby and the 16's defending well. At the opening scrum Joah Bradley pounced on his opposite number and started was was to prove a great battle between the 2 scrum halfs, the older of which has played for the Falcons this season. Henry Ward was once again a rock in defence, never missing a tackle and Ross Thornton worked hard in the loose. From a well worked line out the 17's scored and converted to take a 7-0 lead but the 16's were up for a battle and took the game to them. Matt Broadbent, standing in at 10. had a solid game and after a nervous start really settled into the role producing some telling breaks and inventive kicks that continually tested the 17's defence. Unfortunately the 17's scored again, from an interception, and against the run of play. They converted again to take the score to 14-0. The last 10 minutes of the 1st half saw the 16's really start to rattle the 17's and they worked play into the 17's 22 before great work from the forwards created the oppoertunity that led to Harry Whitfield racing through to score, converted by Joah Bradley. Half time 14-7 to the 17's. The 2nd half was much of the same with the 16's defence holding superbly, Elliot Knight and Harry Whitfield were solid in the centres whilst James McHale made some try saving tackles on more than one occasion. Luke Thornton had a storming game and took the game to the opposition at every opportunity. The 17's scored again following what looked like a dubious offside at a scrum (sorry I am bias!), and converted to take the score to 21-7. There then followed more good attacking play from the 16's with the forwards driving well into the 17's defence. Luke Thornton appeared to have scored, getting the ball onto the line. Everyone behind the posts, and on the nearest touchline could see the ball was grounded.... everyone that is except the ref who, otherwise, had a great game! Instead he called it as held up and the chance was gone with the 17's able to clear their lines. In the closing minutes the 16's were physically exhausted and the 17's managed another score from a 5m scrum. They missed the conversion to end the game 26-7. The 16's could more than hold their heads high after an outstanding performance and can certainly claim a moral victory. The asterisk went to Westy for injuring his own player and forcing said player (Luke) off the field for a blood injury! Forward of the day went to Luke Thornton who apart from the 5 minutes off the field after Westy elbowed him in the face had by far his best ever game for us, and back of the day went to Joah Bradley who had another superb game throughout. Sundays game has been called off to give the team a rest in readiness for next weeks floodlit cup match against Ilkley U17's.

2/3/08 Yorkshire Bowl Semi Final

Hudds U16's v Middlesborough
Hudds 15, Middlesborough 7

Huddersfield started very slowly in this closely fought semi final. It appeared for a large part of the 1st half that most of the team were still asleep! After a rousing start from Middlesborough, during which Huddersfields defence was tested heavily, it looked like being a long day. Eventually Hudds started to put some control on the game and more than a few threatening breaks. Eventually Elliot Knight was set free on the wing after good handling by the backs and raced in to give Huddersfield a 5-0 lead. However Huddersfield still struggled to click and Middlesborough worked themselves a try minutes before the end of the 1st half. They converted to make it 7-5 to Middlesborough at half time. Huddersfield came out stronger in the 2nd half and continually looked dangerous with ball in hand. In fairness they should have scored more than the 2 tries they did but little mistakes were the reason the end result wasn't more convincing and credit has to go to Middlesborough for a tough defensive display of their own. Matt Broadbent finished a strong move upfield with a well deserved try and his centre partner Harry Whitfield also crossed the whitewash as, in the end, Huddersfields defence proved too tough to crack. Henry Ward & Elliot Knight were forward & back of the day.
Team - Engwell, Hepworth, McHale, Knight, Thomson, Whitfield, Broadbent, Dumigan, Bradley, Thornton (R), Baggs, Ward, Westy, Thornton (L), Bryson, Perry, Santar.
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27/2/08 Hudds U16's in Floodlit Cup vs Cleckheaton
Hudds 10, Cleckheaton 0. 

After Old Brods U17's withdrew from this competition Hudds U16's were entered in their place, hoping to gain some experience ahead of next years event. In the opening game Huddersfield travelled to Cleckheaton and produced another outstanding performance to gain a shock 10-0 victory. From the outset Hudds defended superbly, with what seemed an inpenetrable 'white wall'. Huddersfields forwards did more than hold their own against a bigger pack and in the backs Huddersfield snuffed out any chances Cleckheaton created, with only Clecks No.10 and full back causing any problems when given space. Huddersfield were heavily penalised throughout, but were still not put off their task. The first half was evenly matched although Huddersfield created a couple of chances early on. 25 minutes in and Sam Dumigan made a superb break inside the 22, dummied 1 defender and stepped out of the 2nd defenders tackle to go over and give Hudds a 5-0 lead. Minutes later Joah Bradley broke quick from a scrum to release the backs once again, and Elliott Knight raced away for what seemed like a certain try only for the ref to blow for a forward pass. Minutes later a perfectly judged kick from Matt Broadbent would have led to a try for winger Paul Thomson, were it not for the cruel bounce of the ball. Cleck started strongly in the 2nd half and wave after wave of attack came Huddersfields way, but the defence held. After solid work from the forwards resulted in a turnover Joah Bradley placed a high box kick into the heart of Clecks defence. They misjudged the bounce and Ross Thornton was on hand to kick through and looked set for a clear run to the line only to appear to be pulled back by Clecks full back who grounded the ball just before Thornton could get to it. The ref clearly hadn't seen the infringement and awarded a scrum. From here Hudds applied the pressure, and went through various phases trying to find a gap in Clecks defence. Jack Bryson took the ball on from a ruck, only to be held up short, but Henry Ward was on hand and was driven over the line for try number 2. At 10-0 with 15 minutes to go Huddersfield had to hold on and spent most of the last 15 minutes camped in their 22, defending their line. With minutes left Huddersfield stole the ball again and kicked down field. Clecks full back caught it and set off on a counter attack only for Hudds No.8, Ross Thornton to hit him with a thunderous tackle that killed off any hope Cleck may have had. It was impossible to pick any individuals for forward or back of the match as every single player had an outstanding game. Team: McHale, Knight, Thomson, Whitfield (c), Broadbent, Dumigan, Bradley, Thornton (R), Ward, Baggs, Thornton (L), Westwell, Bryson, Santar, Perry. Subs (all used) Hepworth, Engwell, Sykes

10/2/08 Hudds U16's v Bradford & Bingley
Hudds 24, Bees 0. 

Always a close encounter Hudds had beaten the Bees earlier in the season in a very physical and very close match at Lockwood park. Travelling to Bees the team knew it would be tough to come away with a result but the lads surpassed themselves. Defensively the team was outstanding. Bees forwards were enormous but at all the set pieces Hudds held them. Captai Harry Whitfield was outstanding throughout and Joah Bradley & Sam Dumigan (9 & 10) controlled the game and were the main difference between the sides. Ultimately though it was the overall defensive effort that stood out. Tries came from Roman Santar, Paul Thomson, Ross Thornton and Ross Baggs with 2 conversions from Joah Bradley.

24/2/08 v Wath

Hudds 24, Wath 7
Hudds followed up their storming 24-0 win over Bradford & Bingley with a 24-7 victory away at Wath. Traditionally a close encounter Huddersfields forwards were again in fine form against a much bigger pack. With a few players shuffling positions (Harry Whitfield moving back to centre & Ross Baggs playing in the back row) Hudds were again dominant in defence. Elliott Knight made a scything run that almost got him on the scoresheet but it was Jack Bryson who finished the move off. Other tries came from Luke Thornton and Harry Whitfield. Oliver Perry, Henry Ward and Ross Thornton were outstanding in the forwards but the forward of the day was Sam Westwell. Matt Broadbent got the award for back of the day for his commanding game in the centres. Joah Bradley kicked 2 penalties and 2 conversions.