Could Ritchie Hawkyard’s first taste of rugby union gone any better?

Despite taking part in just one training session with Huddersfield YMCA and having returned from a week’s holiday at 4.30 on the morning of the game, the Swinton Lions rugby league ace proved the star of the show to help his new union teammates beat Cleckheaton 31-24 and record a historic first win at National III North level.

It’s going to take something even more special for the 28-year-old to make a similar impact at Sandal this weekend, with the YMCA’s hosts unbeaten in their last five games and determined to build on their current third-placed League standing.

But with a full week’s training under his belt, the talented utility back is more than capable of making an even bigger contribution – particularly as he admits he took a huge step into the unknown when he took to the Laund Hill pitch for the first time seven days ago.

“I’ve never played rugby union before, so I really didn’t know what to expect,” said Hawkyard, who made three Super League appearances for Bradford Bulls in 2007.

“But I thoroughly enjoyed it. The lads helped me all the way and talked me through exactly what to do and where to go.

“I have to admit, the defensive side of the game caught me out a couple of times. I had to be told on quite a few occasions not to go back 10m after a tackle had been made and instead stay in the line!

“Fortunately, I didn’t find it quite so challenging on attack.

“It helped that I’ve played league with Adam Ryder and Gavin Stead before, which meant there was a fair bit of understanding between us and they could read what I was trying to do.

“Obviously, that understanding will grow with the more games I play, and that’s a pretty exciting prospect.

“I’ve always fancied giving rugby union a go at some stage, and it’s a case of so far, so good.

“I’m definitely looking forward to facing Sandal and trying to build on last week.”

Hawkyard’s stay with the YMCA may be relatively brief, however. Having re-signed for Kingstone Press Championship club Swinton, the Huddersfield-born back is expected to return to league after Christmas.

But why did Hawkyard decide to switch codes this winter rather than return to amateur RL club Slaithwaite Saracens?

“That was tough, because I’d had 10 great years at Slaithwaite as a player and a coach,” added Hawkyard, who was promoted by established YMCA player Ed Barber to try out the 15-man game.

“But their decision to move to the summer competition was the deciding factor.

“That was a non-starter because of my commitments with Swinton, while I didn’t want to be involved in their winter Pennine League side after the decision to move down to Division V.

“I just didn’t fancy playing at that level at all.

“So when Ed Barber signed for Swinton, he asked me if I’d be interested in joining him at YM at the end of the season, and I said ‘why not?’

“I know it’s early days, but at the moment it feels like it’s been the right decision to make.”