THE derby bragging rights went to Huddersfield, but the YMCA camp were feeling pleased with their efforts after the traditional festive clash which the visitors won 43-8 at Laund Hill.

Yorkshire II outfit YM worked hard and at half-time trailed just 17-3 and it was only tries that came late in the game that saw National II North outfit Huddersfield cruise to a comfortable margin of victory.

“We took a lot of positives out of the game,” said YMCA’s first team coach Jody Shaw.

“Given that they put 80 points on us in the game last year, it just shows how far we have come in the last 12 months.

“Man-for-man, we put in a great performance, but it was just the pace Huddersfield played at that made the difference.

“While we played well throughout, to be just 14 points down at half time was a fantastic effort and it was only when we made changes later in the game that they pulled away from us.”

And Shaw felt it had given YM the perfect preparation for their return to league action at home to Doncaster Phoenix next Saturday.

“Obviously the important issue for us is to try and gain promotion and win the league if we can and it was a good build-up against a team several divisions higher than us to getting back in shape for the league games which start next week,” added Shaw.

Huddersfield are also back in league action next Saturday when Kendal will be the visitors to Lockwood Park.