Huddersfield YMCA are desperate to erase the memory of their last National III North performance and get back to their best for tomorrow’s trip to title-chasing Sheffield Tigers.
Player-coach Mark Whitehead has admitted the 20-17 home defeat to Burnage 13 days ago hit the YM hard, with the men from Laund Hill confident of putting on a show after guaranteeing their survival in their first season at national league level.
Instead, the Huddersfield side produced a lack-lustre performance against a side they were fully expected to beat.
And Whitehead expects his men to find the right response.
“What we served up against Burnage was really disappointing. We just didn’t turn up,” reflected the forward.
“There was a strong feeling of the end-of-season blues, with the players knowing the main aim of staying up had been achieved and they could start to play in a more relaxed manner.
“As a result, we struggled to get into our side, and Burnage took full advantage.
“But we don’t expect to see a repeat against Sheffield this weekend.
“The boys know they’re going to have to play well to get anything out of them, particularly as they’ve recruited a few experienced players over the last couple of weeks in a bid to finish as high up the table as possible. At this stage, they could still take the title.
“That means, they’ll be giving it everything against us, and we obviously need to be ready.”
But Whitehead has been forced to make a few changes for the trip to South Yorkshire.
A big positive is the return of prop Sam Slater, who returns for his first senior game since suffering a knee injury just before Christmas.
He takes the place of Stu Dyke, who is ruled out with a neck injury, while Chris Clarke and Greg Robertson are both unavailable.
The biggest blow, however, is the news winger Lloyd Bentley’s season is over with a shoulder injury, although that does allow young James Tindall the opportunity to stake a serious claim for a more regular place in the backs.
Huddersfield YMCA: Slater, Hill, Moore, Bell, Housley, Whitehead, Hodge, Lumb; Wilson, Wood; Tindall, Barber, Ryder, Stead; Fletcher. Subs: Watson, Murphy, Bulloch.
