Huddersfield RU 45 Kendal 23
National II North
DETERMINED Huddersfield took another massive leap towards safety with a six-try spectacular in the sunshine at Lockwood Park on Saturday.
Kendal may have scored a couple of converted tries in the last three minutes to make the scoreline look a bit more respectable, but make no mistake, this was a walloping win for Huddersfield, which was every bit as good, if not better, than the 50 points they racked up against Preston Grasshoppers two weeks ago.
And it came against a much better side who in recent years have become a real bogey outfit for Huddersfield.
Well that bogey was well and truly laid to rest in fabulous fashion as Mark Sowerby’s men came back from 6-0 down after 10 minutes to totally dominate and destroy the Cumbrians.
Hard-working second row Ben Harris set up the first try, bursting through on 12 minutes before off-loading to busy hooker James Davies to race between the sticks and, 10 minutes later, Dan Hyde made the initial break which resulted in skipper and leading try-scorer Mark Whitehead bagging try No2 – his 10th of the season.
Chris Johnson added the two simple conversions and also slotted over an excellent 30-odd yarder from close to the touchline to take the home side into a 17-9 interval lead, Kendal’s points having come from the boot of Mike Scott with one penalty and two drop goals.
Field could have been out of sight had they been able to finish off three great chances, started by Davies, full-back Tom Owen and winger Donovan van Vuuren.
But four minutes after the re-start Huddersfield were on the board again, this time through Owen, who is now starting to look seriously impressive when joining the line at pace, which he did to take Johnson’s slick missed pass and slice through the defence, near the posts.
A strong drive from George Hinchliff and a break from Ben Paxman set up try No4 for Nick Sharpe, while Adam Sutcliffe crossed on 68 minutes after Van Vuuren had made the opening.
Johnson continued to slot over all the conversions and made it six out of six when adding the extras to the final try, after Paxman intercepted and raced 40 yards unimpeded to make it game, set and match before the late Kendal consolations which should not be allowed to take the gloss of a great win.
Huddersfield: Owen, van Vuuren, Clarke (Wood 53), Paxman, Sutcliffe; Johnson, Clayton (Hinchliffe 64); Stringwell, Davies (Entressengle 68), Slater (Battye 64), Harris, Hinchliff, Sharpe, Whitehead, Hyde (Rhodes 45).
Kendal: Gracie, Postlethwaite, Park, Ireland, Holmes, Scott, Charters, Harryman, McDowell, Martindale, Green, Hayton, Gore, Tomlinson, Howe. Subs: Voortman, Aloe, Ladell, Gough.
Referee: Rob Sheard (Heysham).
