Chris Clarke gets a start on the wing as Huddersfield YMCA look forward to battling for five points at Morley on Saturday in National III North.
Coach Mark Whitehead – who misses the match because of a wedding – says the squad are buoyant after a valiant performance in defeat at high-riding Sandal and can’t wait to get to grips at Scatcherd Lane.
Clarke gets the vote in place of Tom Bulloch after impressing as a sub at Sandal, and Whitehead says he could have a big part to play in YM’s gameplan comes to fruition.
“We told the lads at training that Morley always have a big, strong pack and it’s a tough place to go because they like to play a forward orientated game on their own ground,” said Whitehead.
“That being the case, we need to compete with them on that front and then spread the ball around like we enjoy doing.
“If we can get the ball in the hands of our dangermen – the backs – then there’s no reason we can’t do well and I think the performances against the likes of Sale and Sandal, who are top and third in the table, show there isn’t anyone at this level we are not capable of beating.”
There is added incentive for the Laund Hill men, too, because Morley are level with them in the table on 13 points, and ahead only by five on points difference.
“Confidence is good and everyone has trained well,” added Whitehead.
“To go down by only three points at Sandal was a disappointment because we felt unlucky, rather than we’d been beaten by a team that was better than us.
“If they games we’ve lost by two or three points had gone the other way then we would be right up there – so it’s fine margins.
“That’s part of learning at a new level, I suppose, and just making a few more of the right calls when points are on offer.”
YMCA will not name their replacements until Josh Lumb, the No8, has had a late fitness test.
Huddersfield YMCA: Slater, Hill, Moore, Housley, Bell, Dyke (Stu), Hodge, Lumb, Wilson, Hawkyard, Bentley, Van Rooyen, Ryder, Clarke, Stead. Subs: To be announced.
