Huddersfield YMCA faced a tough grind as they were narrowly beaten 29-26 at highly-fancied Sandal.

Sandal are used to performing at National III North level, while YMCA are on a steep learning curve, but they fought back strongly to create a nail-biting finish.

Sandal took possession early on and keeping them out required serious commitment from Sam Hodge, Stu Dyke and Ben Hill in defence.

A few minutes in Sandal were awarded a penalty which they elected to kick for goal and missed.

From the restart Sandal back on the attack but a spilled ball and YMCA’s flying winger Lloyd Bentley beat the cover to run the length of the field for a try and Gavin Stead tagged on the extra points.

Emboldened by their success YM set up an attack and a slick reverse pass from fly half Ritchie Hawkyard allowed centre Adam Ryder enough space to force his way over, and again Stead stepped up and tagged on the extra points.

Rocked by the double blow Sandal responded and pounded the YM line and they were back in the running by half-time.

First the home side landed penalty from stand off Mark Pease and then grabbed a try when Frewin got himself in the clear and went over for a try in the corner and Pease added the goal.

From the start of the second half the home side held possession and within minutes they scored through full-back James Ellar, but Pease was off target with the conversion.

Now trailing for the first time, YM came back onto the attack and had a good period when they made the Sandal defence work very hard and they were awarded two penalties in quick succession but the usually accurate Stead was off target on both occasions.

However, YMCA player-coach Mark Whitehead was penalised for an offside offence and received a yellow card.

Sandal capitalised on the extra man and back rower Jamie Heron finished a move out wide and Pease added the extras.

Sandal centre Joe Allott added a further try t and Pease again converted as the home side looked set to run away with the game at 29-14.

YMCA refused to buckle and hit back when a short pass sent second row James Bell over the line and Stead added the conversion.

Once again Sandal came back to pressure the visitors line but a great break out of defence by Stead saw the full back have the beating of Sandal wide out.

As the cover came across he unloaded to Hawkyard who in turn drew the defender before feeding a neat pass to Tom Van Rooyen leaving the big centre a sprint to the line.

Stead missed with the conversion but the score had given the YM their four try bonus point and if the score stayed as it was they would also gather a losing bonus point.

From the restart the YM came back onto the attack but it was too late to change the outcome and the referee called time with the scores at 29-26.

YMCA: Stead; Bullock, Ryder, Van Rooyen, Bentley; Hawkyard, Wilson; Dyke, Hill, Moore, Bell, Housley, Hodge, Whitehead, Lumb. Interchange; Murphy, Slater, Clarke