HUDDERSFIELD Rugby Union Club were again involved in a few relegation issues before consolidating their position in National II North for a second successive season.
A big win over Waterloo, followed by another over relegated Bradford and Bingley with centre Matt Clarke striking six times over the two games, ensured the Lockwood Park club maintained their hard-won National League status.
Five of the regular first team squad, Ben Harris, Gareth Lewis, Chris Johnson, Dan Hyde and Nick Sharpe (installed as captain for 2010-11) were chosen to play for Yorkshire in the Bill Beaumont Cup.
Sadly at the end of the season, Huddersfield were to say goodbye to coach Mark Sowerby, who had done so much to get them into the National League, along with second rower Harris, who moved to play with Rotherham Titans in the RFU’s Championship.
Dan Hyde was installed as head coach and his side opened up the new season with five wins from their first seven outings, including a first round Yorkshire Cup win over Bradford and Bingley.
An autumn slump, when they played all the top sides in the division, left them sliding down the division, but a welcome win over Hull Ionians halted the descent and with matches to rearrange against many of the bottom clubs (called off by the pre-Christmas freeze) there is no reason why Hyde’s side should not move back up to a mid-table position.
Meanwhile, up at Laund Hill, the YMCA came off the back of a topsy-turvy season, well off the promotion pace, but with better prospects in the offing.
Adam Ryder was the top try scorer in the division with 15 (he also went on to become the Rugby League Conference division’s Player of the Year with Underbank) and quickly put himself on top this season despite missing the first four games because of other commitments.
Having notched four against Yarnbury, he moved smoothly to 11 touchdowns, before having to quit following his decision to take up a contract with Swinton Rugby League club, but YM reached the turn of the year at the top of Yorkshire II and in a very strong position, to at least get promotion, if not take the title.
