Upbeat Huddersfield are setting their sights on a big home win over Hull on Saturday (3.00) to signal a charge up the National II North table.
The newly-promoted side are beginning to make their mark at the higher level.
With two wins and a draw from their opening six fixtures to secure a 13-point tally, the men from Lockwood Park are perfectly poised to mount a serious challenge to the sides above them.
And with three of Field’s next four games against teams below them in the fledgling table – against Hull this weekend, at home to Broadstreet and away to bottom club Stockport – head coach Gareth Lewis believes his club is about to make a decisive move.
“We’ve been encouraged by the start we’ve made, and we know it can get a lot better,” said Lewis.
“To be honest, if someone had said before the season started that we’d have 13 points from our opening six games we’d have taken it.
“Because we’re new to this level and we’ve brought in a number of new signings we always felt the opening weeks would be tough.
“But we’ve come through that period unscathed and feel confident of pushing on. We’re still trying to work out our best combinations, although we are getting there.
“And with things slowly starting to fit into place, we know we have a great opportunity to strengthen our position significantly over the next month.
“During that time we’ve got games against three teams below us, as well as at Otley, who are just above us.
“Winning all four of these would really put down a marker.”
One of the combination changes Huddersfield are making for the visit of Hull is to switch Tom Hodson to inside centre.
Hodson has been a star turn in the backs since arriving from Doncaster rugby league club for a winter spell, and Lewis is keen for him to play a more active role, which inside centre will give him.
There’s also another change on the wing, with in-form Falcon Sam Walker stepping up in the absence of injured duo Elliot Hodgson (broken toe) and Mick Clarke (Achilles).
Also ruled out is no-nonsense hooker Ross Thornton with a back problem.
But while his presence in the pack will be missed, the promotion from the second team of 6ft 5in, 23st former Barnsley back-rower man-mountain Jordan Wood will make sure the forwards remain a formidable force.
“Hull have a big pack and a couple of centres who are a real handful,” added Lewis.
“But with the changes we’ve made I know we’ll more than match them in that department.
“Over the years we’ve developed a very healthy rivalry with Hull. It started when we beat them in the Yorkshire Cup final.
“And that will continue this weekend.
“There’s no doubt this has all the makings of being a great game, and one we’re confident of winning.”
