Huddersfield RUFC’s Under 17 string made a very promising start to 2014 with a 24-22 win at York.

The home team made use of the wind and slope in their favour kicking deep into Huddersfield territory early in the game, but the visiting defence held firm with good work by Jack Hartop, Edward Smith, Thomas Knapton and Will England.

Huddersfield hit back with both Will Burgess and Lewis Bradley making penetrating runs and they made the breakthorugh when Matt Crabtree fed Elliot Whetham whose pass put fellow centre Elliott Spiers in to score and Bradley converted.

Huddersfield were further in front on 20 minutes when scrum half Ian Nuttall gained a good position and the ball was moved out to Spiers, who spotted the home defence was out of position sped through for a splendid try, but there was no conversion.

York finally found their feet and Huddersfield defended resolutely through Liam Moran, Greg Thompson and Luke Pickard, but the home side scored a try which was converted to reducing the deficit to five points.

On the half hour York kicked a penalty on it prompted changes at half-time as Huddersfield brought on Mathew Tate, Laurence Ward, Louis Frear and Caleb Smith for the start of the second period.

The visitors made a very positive start attacking down the left wing  and when the ball was moved inside and scrum half Nuttall darted over for a try, but it was not converted.

Huddersfield suffered a setback as Liam Clegg went off injured and Luke Pickard joined the fray.

The home side grabbed an unconverted try and minutes later at a scrum close to the Huddersfield line the ball was fumbled and bounced over the line and a York player dived on the ball for a try,  which converted and for the first time the hosts were ahead.

However, Huddersfield’s pack were on top and a series of drives paved the way for Pickard to score a try levelling the scores and Bradley converted to win the game.