THE welcome return of Gareth Lewis and Lee Paxman so nearly brought Huddersfield their first victory of the season against Dudley Kingswinford at Lockwood Park.

There was no denying that flanker Lewis and centre Paxman gave Dan Hyde side’s some much-needed structure, and had Hull referee Mathew Daubney not been quite so benevolent towards last week’s visitors, then Huddersfield would surely have had their first win on the board this season, instead of reluctantly having to settle for two points from their 13-13 draw.

“It was so annoying at the end because a Dudley player clearly handled in the ruck and impeded play when Joel Hinchliffe was lining up for a drop goal in front of the posts,” reflected Hyde.

“And those lost two points could well come back to bite us at the end of the season.

“Overall I was pleased with the contribution made by both Gareth (Lewis) and Lee (Paxman) who made a big difference and showed a little of what we have been missing in their absence.

“Not only are they both proven, well-established players at this level, they also have excellent communication skills on the field and are extremely helpful to those players around them, many of whom are still having to learn their trade on the hoof.

“In any team, the numbers seven and 12 have such a big influence on the game, and although the players who have filled in have done okay, as I’ve said before there really is no substitute for experience.

“The same goes for the back row, where Cameron Curry has done a good job for us, while Sharpey (Nick Sharpe) has had to fill the vacant lock spot.

“But, again, Cam is a young player who is still learning the game, while Nick is a great ball carrier who gives us so much going forward.

“In training we’ve been trying to impress on the lads the need to retain the ball, not just for one-up, but for three, four and five phases.

“By doing that you are then building up pressure on defences which in turn forces them to make errors which we can then capitalise on.

“Of course it’s not easy for us at the moment, because we have new personnel playing in key areas, but it’s coming. Week after week were are gradually starting to gel.”

One can only sympathise with Hyde, who since the start of the 2012/13 campaign has had to contend with the loss from last year’s fifth-place finishing side of: James Davies (long-term injury), Francis Entressengle (back at University in the North-East), Ben Paxman (injury), Ben Morrill (shoulder operation), Gavin Rhodes (back today after medial ligament injury), Gareth Lewis (knee operation) and Lee Paxman (broken arm) who both re-appeared last week; David Hall (retired), Chris Johnson, Lee Brown, Matt Johnson, Damian Clayton and Adam Ryder, who all left the club during the close season.

As D:ream once sang: ‘Things can only get Better!’