Leicester Lions 18
Huddersfield 18
(Rugby Union: National II North)
HUDDERSFIELD missed a great opportunity to steal a march on their play-off rivals when they conceded a last-minute try at fourth-bottom club Leicester Lions.
A drop goal and a penalty from fly-half Chris Johnson looked to have sewn up a 17th win of the season for the visitors, but Lions winger John Hale crossed in the corner in the final minute of the game to level the scores, and would have signalled a defeat, had home kicker Sam Dimmick been able to convert from the touchline.
Unfortunately, Huddersfield were hampered even before kick-off when they were forced to go into the match without a recognised second row, with both Lee Brown and Gavin Rhodes ruled out, to be replaced by George Hinchliff – playing his first game back after a lengthy injury lay-off, and James Davies, who is more accustomed to a front row spot.
Nevertheless, Huddersfield’s pack were still on top in the early stages of the contest at Lutterworth Road, and after putting pressure on the Leicester line, referee James Sullivan awarded Huddersfield a penalty try after 13 minutes, with Johnson adding the extras for a 7-0 lead.
Lions’ full-back James Stokes replied with a penalty on 22 minutes for the home side and fly-half Sam Dimmick cut the gap to one point at the interval with a second Lions penalty.
Huddersfield’s cause was not helped by the sin-binning of Davies midway through the first half, and skipper Nick Sharpe, who was also off for 10 minutes either side of half-time, which at one point left the visitors with only 13 on the park.
And before Sharpe’s return, Leicester winger Gareth Collins put his side ahead with a try, converted by Dimmick.
Alex Brook replaced Ben Paxman at centre, and soon after his introduction Huddersfield cut the deficit to a point, when Mike Clark scooted in for a try on the hour mark.
Johnson was unable to convert on this occasion, but seven minutes later did launch a successful drop goal to give his side the lead once again at 15-13, and with nine minutes remaining added his second penalty of the game which looked likely to seal the winning points before Hale’s late effort reduced their ‘takeaway total’ to just two points.
However, it was still enough to see them leapfrog Caldy back into second place in the table, following the heavy 44-10 thumping the Wirral team received at the hands of Hull.
Huddersfield are away to relegation-threatened Harrogate next Saturday when coach Dan Hyde will be hoping his top locks are back in action.
Huddersfield: Owen; Ryder, B Paxman, L Paxman, Clark; Johnson, Hinchliffe, Battye, Entressengle, Stringwell, Davies, Hinchliff, Hoyle, Lewis, Sharpe. Subs: Brook, Dempsey, Armitage, Shuttleworth, Johnson.
