Huddersfield player-coach Gareth Lewis is hoping his selection headaches are about to return.
The Lockwood Park chief was confident strike utility back Tom Hodson would pass a late fitness test on an ankle injury and make the starting line-up for this afternoon’s National II North trip to Sedgley Park.
If that’s the case, then he’ll be joining explosive centre Charlie Martin back in the Huddersfield fold.
Former Castleford Super League man Martin has spent the past three weeks on the sidelines after suffering a rib injury in the defeat at Otley.
He takes the place of Ben Mitchell, who impressed in last week’s battling 17-17 home draw with leaders Ampthill but is ruled out with a knee injury.
It’s hoped Mitchell will be fit to resume for next Saturday’s home clash against Birmingham & Solihull – which could potentially pose a big problem for Lewis and his coaching team.
“There were many reasons why our performance against Ampthill was really positive,” said Lewis.
“One of those was the fact it was achieved without the likes of Tom and Charlie, who have been really good for us at the start of this season.
“To do so well without them underlines the depth of the squad we now have.
“All being well, both Charlie and Tom will be back for Sedgley Park today, which would be a massive boost against a club who we know are going to be tough to beat. I played with some of their boys during my time at Manchester and they’re pretty handy players.
“But I’m hoping the fact we’re now getting some serious competition for places back in the side will help bring the best out of everyone.
“Getting a selection headache again is definitely something I can live with.”
A large Lockwood Park crowd watched Huddersfield Under 13s secure an excellent 17-0 victory over a well-organised and determined Pocklington side in a testing encounter.
The home side initially struggled to gain any attacking momentum and the Pocklington tactic of kicking for position began to frustrate the Huddersfield attackers.
However, after a period of possession rugby, Jamie McCormick dived over in the corner for a well-taken try to open the scoring.
Just before half-time the lead was extended when Fred Woodhouse ran straight through the full-back to score and Ollie Brian added the conversion to make it 12-0 at the interval.
Huddersfield made a number of changes at half-time, galvanising the defence and making sure Pocklington were unlikely to cross the line given the home side’s collective defensive will.
The introduction of Sam Awty at scrum-half paid dividends and, with his first touch of the ball, he finished off a well-executed move to dive over in the corner to seal the success.
