SLAITHWAITE SARACENS have made an excellent start to their Pennine League Premier Division campaign.

An opening fixture at home to Hunslet Old Boys, who were full of confidence after their excellent victory over Drighlington the week before, was always going to prove a massive challenge.

But the Saracens rose to the occasion magnificently to secure a superb 18-6 victory and make their intentions clear right from the start.

Despite fielding four new players, the hosts were quickly into their stride, although it took them 30 minutes to take the lead through a Richard Flooks penalty.

That proved to be the only score of a highly-competitive opening half in which the Saracens’ defence had to withstand some immense pressure after finding themselves on the end of a one-sided penalty count.

And when Hunslet took the lead with a converted try 15 minutes after the break, there were fears Slaithwaite’s resistance had finally been broken.

But that couldn’t have been further from the truth!

Instead, the Saracens immediately stepped up a gear to take the contest by storm.

Within moments of falling behind, the home side were back in front as a flowing move put Darren Hawkyard (pictured) over for Flooks to add the extras, and It wasn’t long before Simon Burkinshaw extended the advantage when he latched onto a ball 20m out and raced over.

And with 10 minutes remaining Hawkyard crashed through for his second try to give his side a 12-point lead and seal a victory in a contest where former Giants full-back and crowd favourite Paul Reilly played at prop!

Slaithwaite’s success was the highlight for Huddersfield clubs in what proved to be a tough second week of the Pennine League for those teams from the town who were in action.

The only other winners on the day were Underbank Rangers, who opened their Division III account with a 27-24 triumph over Wortley Dragons, while Meltham All Blacks were held to a 16-16 draw at home to Farnley Falcons.