Harrogate 17

Huddersfield RU 17

(National II North)

THE League play-offs are starting to look a way off after this latest draw against one of the relegation-threatened sides.

It is the second week in succession that Huddersfield have had to settle for a draw against one of the bottom four clubs, and this latest effort saw them drop to third in the National II North table, three points behind Caldy, and Luctonians and Hull are snapping at their heels.

The curious thing was for most of this match at Claro Road, Huddersfield were in front without ever being able to completely pull away.

Chris Johnson missed with a couple of early penalties, before giving Huddersfield the lead midway through the first half with his third attempt.

Six minutes later the visitors extended their lead when a catch and drive from a line-out by second row Gavin Rhodes was held up short of Harrogate’s tryline, from where Field skipper (and leading try-scorer) Nick Sharpe powered over from close range. Johnson added the extras, and Huddersfield headed in at the break 10-0 up.

They maintained that lead through much of the second half until, crucially, Johnson was sent to the sin-bin by Prudhoe whistler Will Halford, and suddenly the game took a dramatic turn in events.

Four minutes after Johnson’s dismissal home No8 Ryan Peacey burst through Field’s line for a try, which fly-half Mike Aspinall converted to drag Harrogate back into the match, and within four minutes, they had taken the lead, when centre Kyle Dench raced clear to score a second converted try, with Aspinall extended their lead to 17-10 with a drop goal four minutes from time – all 17 points having come within a seven-minute spell.

However, there was still time for yet another twist in the tail, as second half prop substitute Ben Innes was sin-binned for Harrogate with two minutes left on the clock, and suddenly Huddersfield surged forward once again, and centre David Hall went over a try right on the final whistle.

Johnson stepped up and duly converted before Halford’s whistle brought an end to the derby clash.

Next Saturday Huddersfield entertain Luctonians who are just two points behind Huddersfield in fourth place in the table, and Huddersfield know that if they are retain any hopes of reaching the play-off, this is a must-win game.

Huddersfield:ŠOwen; Ryder, Clark, Hall, Brook; Johnson, Hinchliffe; Stringwell, Entressengle, Davies, Hinchliff, Rhodes, Hoyle, Lewis, Sharpe (Hyde 71). Subs: (not used) Rothery, Battye, Knight, Armitage.

Harrogate: Smithies; Ellison, Dench, Latus, Gemmell, Aspinall, Hampson, Bergmanas, Yorke, Fraser, Brady, Harvey, Heaton, Tyson, Peacey.

Referee: Will Halford (Prudhoe).