Huddersfield Rugby Union club land historic Yorkshire Cup win with final victory over Hull

HUDDERSFIELD clinched the Yorkshire Cup for the first time since 1890 with a superbperformance against the odds when defeating Hull at York last night.

Despite being down to 12 men at one stage with three men in the sin-bin, and a 19-9 penalty count against them, Huddersfield dug deeper than they have done all season with a tremendous display.

Four penalties and a drop goal from Chris Johnson – and second-half tries from Lee Paxman and James Wood – sent the large travelling band of Field supporters wild with delight.

Leading 9-6 at half time in their first final appearance since 1970, when they lost to Bradford, Johnson’s fourth penalty extended the lead before Hull’s No8, Rob Devonshire, brought it back to a one-point game with a try in the corner.

Back came Field, and hooker Ben Morrill’s blockbusting run set up the position from where Lee Brown sent Wood racing over.

Oliver Cook scored for Hull to keep the game alive, but when Lee Paxman picked the ball off the back of a line-out and ran 40 yards for Huddersfield’s second try, the Cup was almost in their grasp.

And although Tom Owen, on for the sin-binned Johnson, hit the woodwork with his conversion attempt, Johnson returned to seal the victory with a late drop goal and start the celebrations.

The first half was very much a tale of penalties – the bulk of which went Hull’s way.

Hull fly-half Greg Lound gave the Humbersiders an eighth-minute lead with a penalty from straight in front of the posts, but Johnson levelled two minutes later (Hull were offside).