Huddersfield produced a strong and determined display to inflict only the third defeat of the season on third-placed Tynedale in a breathtaking thriller at Lockwood Park.

Gareth Lewis’s side scored five tries to their visitors’ two to run out winners 29-20 in National II North.

The match started with a yellow card for Tynedale centre Will Miller, who took out Huddersfield full back Lewis Workman in the air from the kick off.

Huddersfield used their one-man advantage to good effect to establish their pattern of play and pose questions of the visitors’ defence.

Their powerful pack dominated the scrummages and close-quarter play throughout, giving the team vital go-forward momentum.

First on the scoresheet was lock Austen Thompson, who drove over following a five-metre line-out on 15 minutes.

Harry Davey’s conversion was answered by an Ash Smith penalty for Dale five minutes later, heralding a comeback which saw his team take a 10-point lead.

The Tynedale backs looked dangerous and capable of exploiting any defensive lapses and, in quick succession, flanker Nick Cairns and Miller went through dog-legs in Field’s defensive line for tries, the first of which Smith converted.

On 28 minutes, when centre Bramwell Thomas became the second man in his team to spend a spell in the sin bin, Huddersfield narrowed the gap.

Thomas was penalised for an offside tackle on Huddersfield hooker Francis Entressengle and Nick Sharpe crossed from the catch and drive from the penalty line-out.

With half time approaching Field spurned a good chance to go into the break ahead.

A line clearance was neatly pouched and passed inside by Elliot Knight on the right wing and Dale were penalised when the ball was run at them by man-of-the-match Lewis Bradley.

Huddersfield RU 29 Tynedale 20 Pictures by Ray Morris Contact raymorris1@btinternet.com Tynedale intercept an Austen Thompson pass intended for Adam Malthouse

A quick tap down from the consequent line-out was taken by centre Tom Owen but he lost control of the ball in the tackle in his dive for the line.

Huddersfield were back on terms five minutes after the interval.

Having gained possession from the off they mounted a continuous spell of pressure but lost the ball through a knock-on close to the line.

With the Dale scrum in disarray, Field took the ball against the head and Sharpe went over for his second try. Davey’s conversion put them in front once again.

The next few minutes saw good breaks and well-worked phases from the home team but no change to the scoreline.

However, with Dale’s lively backs looking to shift and run the ball at every opportunity, the game still hung in the balance on the hour.

When winger James Spencer took a neat pass and cut a beautiful inside 30-metre running line, Huddersfield were penalised and Smith took the points.

The last 10 minutes belonged to Huddersfield though and they rounded off the match with two more fine tries.

Davey scored the first, taking an off-load from Sharpe near the line following a good break behind another powerful scrum and, with time almost up, Workman had the final word.

With Dale penalised at the scrum once again, Davey used the advantage to craft a perfect crossfield kick which Workman caught well, rolling out of a tackle for the touchdown.

A superb effort from Field and a perfect start to the New Year for coach, players and supporters alike.

Head coach Lewis praised his team’s character in the victory.

“This was an excellent win against a very good Tynedale side,” said Lewis, whose pack laid the platform for victory.

“It was far from perfect, but we played to our strengths and showed enormous character in the second half.

“Once again it was a huge team effort, but special mention must go to Lewis Bradley who was pretty inspirational to his teammates.

“Now, we must maintain the high standards in training and prepare well for Macclesfield next weekend.”