Nuneaton 18

Huddersfield RU 18

(National II North)

AFTER fighting back from a 15-6 deficit in the second half, Huddersfield were slightly fortunate to come away with their second draw of the season from their visit to the Midlands.

With seven minutes remaining of normal time and the scores locked at 18-18, Nuneaton had the chance to land the killer low with a penalty kick, but instead they elected to continue the drive and were held out by some stern Huddersfield defending.

Although no doubt disappointed at not being able to wrap up another double, following their 57-13 hammering of Nuneaton back in October, coach Dan Hyde would not be too upset to come away from one of their longest away trips of the season with two points in the bag, especially given the fact it was only their third game in seven weeks!

Jack Jolly gave the Nuns an early lead with a penalty before Chris Johnson levelled it on 28 minutes with his first kick at goal, and then put the visitors in front when he landed only his second drop goal of the season. The lead was short-lived, however, as Nuns’ winger Andy Murray took advantage of slack marking to go over for an unconverted try for an 8-6 interval lead.

And things were to get even worse for Huddersfield from the re-start when the opposite wing Elliott Brown raced through for his side’s second try, this one converted by Jolly to push Nuns out to 15-6 in front.

That finally seemed to stir Huddersfield into action, and they began to exert some pressure for the first time in the game as they went through several phases, taking play inside Nuneaton’s 22 from where scrum half Joel Hinchliffe broke his duck for the season when he sold a dummy and dived over the line.

Johnson added the conversion to reduce the deficit to just two points.

The visitors were now starting to find their feet, and hit the front when second rower Gavin Rhodes crashed over the line for his second touchdown of the season, after another series of strong drives.

Unfortunately Johnson’s conversion failed, leaving them just three points ahead, going into the last 10 minutes.

A second penalty from Jolly tied the scores before the last surge which could have spelled Huddersfield’s demise had the home outfit chosen to take the kick instead of going for glory.

YMCA’s Yorkshire II clash with Leodiensians at Laund Hill was called off at noon on Saturday, with parts of the Salendine Nook pitch still rock hard after the overnight frost.