Happy Huddersfield are relishing the challenge of travelling to National II North leaders Hull Ionians knowing they have nothing to lose.
Last week’s hard-earned 19-17 home win over Preston Grasshoppers guaranteed Huddersfield National II status for next season with two games to spare.
The victory also ended a three-match losing run for coach Gareth Lewis’s side ahead of tomorrow’s tough trip to the east coast.
And with the lingering threat of relegation having now disappeared, Lewis is hoping that’s reflected in a free-flowing Field display this weekend.
“Last week’s win was obviously massive for us,” said Lewis.
“In a sense, it was our Cup final, because we knew the significance of it and what a victory would mean.
“The win was also met with a sense of relieve. We certainly didn’t want to go to Hull this weekend knowing there was still slight chance we could go down if we were beaten and then fail to win at home to Chester in our final home game the following week.
“But we don’t need to worry about that now.
“We can go to Hull this weekend without any pressure, knowing we’ve absolutely nothing to lose. You could say the shackles are off.
“Hull Ionians are a quality side – which is obviously why they’re top of the league and closing in on then title – and they’ll present us with a massive challenge.
“But with the pressure off and the quality we possess in our side, we are confident of giving a very good account of ourselves.”
Lewis has made several changes to the side that beat the Grasshoppers last weekend.
The most eye-catching is a full debut in the second row for 17-year-old Lewis Bradley.
The highly-talented teenager and Ross Thornton have both been rewarded with starts after impressing off the bench against Preston, with Lewis acknowledging Bradley could have a bright future in the game.
“He’s a very exciting talent,” added the head coach.
“Lewis has earned a full debut on merit, because he’s produced some solid performances off the bench and deserves the chance to show everyone what he can do from the start. He may only be 17, but he’s already holding his own at this level.
“Besides Lewis and Ross starting the game, there’s also a change in the halves, with Chris Bell unavailable.
“But with the way Joel Hinchliffe kicked last week, we know it’s an absence we can comfortably cover.
“We’ve also brought Henry Walker back in on the bench to reward the attitude he showed last weekend.
“He missed out on first-team selection and turned out for the Falcons instead. He could have sulked, but he didn’t, he played well and has earned an immediate recall as a result.”
