Vital time for YMCA

Nov 9 2007 by Chris Roberts, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

YMCA coach Carl Thewlis believes a convincing victory at Bradford Salem tomorrow (2.15) could kick-start a climb up the Yorkshire I ladder.

The Huddersfield club are fourth from bottom, with just two wins from their opening eight games.

But with this weekend’s hosts one place below them and having won just once, Thewlis feels the time is right to start looking upwards.

“It’s been a tough start to the season, which we always thought it would because of having to blood so many young players,” said Thewlis.

“But I’ve got nothing but praise for the way these lads have stepped up to the mark and given such an excellent accounts of themselves.

“Although we’ve lost six out of eight, most of the time the margin has been 10 points or less, which suggests we’re not that far away.

“Our aim at the beginning of the season was to secure a mid-table finish, and a win at Bradford tomorrow would put us right on track.

“As well as taking us away from the bottom pack, it would also do our confidence a power of good.

“As far as I’m concerned, this is our most important game yet.”

Thewlis is expected to keep changes to the side that lost 24-10 to Selby a week ago to a minimum, with former Giants Super League squad man Gareth Greenwood, above, ready to make his fourth appearance.

YMCA: Belton; Stead, Rees, Ryder, Greenwood; Wolfe, Williams; Van Nierkerk, Joblin, Gregson, Pearson, Housley, Bracken, Anderson, Walker. Subs: Dobson, Eastwood, Coulson.

Second XV (Salem, home, 2.15): Smith; Sample, Taylor, Wood, Mosley; Heptinstall, Marshall; Farringdon, Bedford, Earnshaw, Hellawell (D), Orton-Blue (A), Parker, Nyahoda, Sellers. Subs: Stafford, Orton-Blue (L).

Third XV (Selby, away, 2.15): Noble (K); Dalton (T), Hall;, Hirst (M), Stevenson; Noble (R), Hirst (I); Saville (B), Nasey, Murphy, Garrety, Young, Morton (R), Wood, Senior. Sub: Butterworth.

Under 19s Colts (Yarnbury, home, Sunday 12.30). From: Bell, Dyke, Orton-Blue (L), Orton-Blue (A), Willans, Housley, Hodge, Hopkins, Sellars, Marshall, Walsh, Senior, Pearce, Ryder, Wrafter. Bentley, Stead, Calvert