Burnage RUFC 12

Huddersfield RUFC 17

(National III North)

Huddersfield coach Gareth Lewis has urged his side not to rest on their laurels after going six points clear at the top of the table with a solid win at Burnage.

Winger Elliot Hodgson and centre Ben Mitchell scored the game’s only tries, whilst Tom Hodson was faultless with the boot.

Head coach Lewis said: “By no means was it a vintage performance but we did what we needed to do.

“With both Sale and Rossendale losing we are now in the box seat, but with many tough away games to come we’ll certainly not rest on our laurels.”

The first half saw Huddersfield trying to adapt to Burnage’s state-of-the-art 4G artificial pitch.

There were some obvious teething problems for the visitors, who are more accustomed to the muddy turf of Lockwood Park.

Huddersfield’s first chance of a score was a Ben Morrell breakaway through the defence. However after beating several defenders he landed awkwardly on the artificial ground, and was forced to come off.

In the first half Burnage clearly hand the upper hand at home.

However, Huddersfield only went into the break six points down after conceding two penalties.

After the break Field picked up their performance which soon led to their first try.

After some simple hands through the back line, man of the match Hodgson came off his wing and wove his way through the defence to stroll under the posts. Hodson easily converted for the extra points.

Throughout the game Huddersfield gifted Burnage penalties but the home side only opted to go for the posts four times, deeming scrums and lineouts a better option in the windy conditions.

Huddersfield gained a penalty opportunity of their own on the Burnage 10 metre line, which Hodson decided to kick.

It was possibly an ambitious decision in such a strong wind but the fly-half slotted the kick to extend Huddersfield’s lead.

The game’s next try came from the work of Hodgson again.

With similar quick feet and gliding runs, he found himself with a two-on-one with the Burnage full-back. With a simple pop to Ben Mitchell, the centre found himself on the scoresheet. Hodson converting again.

Boss Lewis praised his side after the game and said: “Losing Ben Morrell early was obviously a big loss to us and credit must go to Tony Stringwell for filling in.

“I thought Gavin Rhodes was a colossus in the tight play, disrupting what was a very strong Burnage maul.

“I think Elliot had his best game of the season. His pace and agility were a constant threat and he was rewarded with a try and an assist.”

Huddersfield begin the new year with a difficult game away to Sale FC on January 4th.A win there would be a big push in the right direction for promotion.

Huddersfield YMCA lost 19-8 in their North One East clash at lowly Northern, but remain second in the table behind Cleckheaton.Match report in tomorrow’s Examiner.