Huddersfield stay rooted to the bottom of National II North after a 22-9 home loss to Harrogate and head coach Gareth Lewis is calling for more composure in the final third.

His side have failed to register a win in January and will hope to launch February with better fortunes at Leicester Lions.

Harrogate were soon ahead at Lockwood Park when Lewis Minikin scored a penalty, but fly-half Chris Bell, back on kicking duties after the previous week’s muscle problem, struck back with his own a few minutes later.

Huddersfield then looked to have the upper hand, but Harrogate hit back well as Minikin scored another penalty and timely drop goal.

Austen Thompson’s sin bin 10 minutes before half time then left a gap in the defensive line for Huddersfield and the away side managed to extend their lead with a converted try to go ahead 19-3 at half time.

Another try-less half from Huddersfield meant there was never any chance to get a precious victory, as they could manage only two further penalty goals from Bell.

A last-minute penalty for Harrogate ensured a home defeat.

“It’s disappointing considering how much possession we had,” said Lewis.

“We were building pressure but we coughed up the ball when we were in the ascendancy. That particularly cost us in the first half.

“I don’t think they threatened in the second half at all.”

He added: “We need more composure in the final third.

“We had an opportunity in the latter stages of the match, but it’s just down to decision making and communication.

“These parts of the game let us down. We didn’t execute a couple of two-on-ones either, and we need to be taking those opportunities.”

The Field were without suspended captain Nick Sharpe, and Lewis gave Alex Battye the lead role.

Huddersfield RUFC v Harrogate at Lockwood Park, Huddersfield.

“I’m more than happy to be captain,” said Battye.

“As a born and bred Huddersfield lad who hasn’t played for anyone else, there’s nothing better than to lead the lads out at the front.

“But I am disappointed with the result. Between about the 20th minute and the 35th they outsmarted us really. For me, that’s where the game was lost. They played really good rugby and pinned us in to the corners.

“We dealt with the sin bin well but it’s nice to have 15 players on the pitch at all times to have more of a chance.

“There’s nothing to lose next week. We’re at the bottom and the only way is up.”

Lewis also spoke highly of Battye’s first match as captain.

“Alex was absolutely fantastic,” he said. “He has the respect of his teammates and he spoke very well in the dressing room.

“He made good tactical decisions on the field too and that’s one of the big positives – to adapt to the role so well is very pleasing.

“Sharpy is an outstanding player and with him not being in the equation for the foreseeable future there are opportunities there for the other lads.

“I thought Adam Malthouse did very well at No8, as did Adam Tamanis as one of the tight head props. There were good individual performances out there.”

Points-scorer Bell said: “We’re all disappointed again with the result.

“It’s not really ideal because we’re fighting for our lives now. We’re deflated but we need to turn it in to positives for next week.

“Leicester is always a tough place to go. But we’ve beaten them at home already this season in a brilliant performance, so hopefully we can go over there and make a difference. It’d be good to get a win next to our names because it will give us confidence.”

Lewis concluded: “The position we’re in now means we’ve just got to get out there and play. The pressure, to an extent, isn’t on us really.

“The odds are stacked against us but there are still 11 games to play. We go down there with nothing to lose and we just have to give it everything we’ve got.”

Huddersfield: Tom Hodson, Lewis Workman, Elliot Hodgson, Danny Grainger, Elliot Fletcher, Chris Bell, Joel Hinchliffe, Alex Battye, Lewis Bradley, Adam Tamanis, Austen Thompson, Gavin Rhodes, Nick Rhodes, Ben Hoyle, Adam Malthouse. Replacements: Liam Parfitt, Tony Stringwell, Dan Jeffrey, Henry Walker, Tom Owen.

Substitutions: 40- Liam Parfitt on for Nick Rhodes, 40- Tom Owen on for Danny Grainger, 58- Nick Rhodes on for Austen Thompson, 60- Tony Stringwell on for Adam Tamanis, 62- Dan Jeffrey on for Elliot Hodgson, 69 - Henry Walker on for Gavin Rhodes.