HUDDERSFIELD RU selectors are banking on the experience of David Hall when they chase Centurion Yorkshire Cup glory tomorrow evening in York (7.30).

The former Halifax player, who was a member of last year’s Cup-winning Wharfedale squad, has been brought in at full-back in place of regular No15 Tom Owen, who takes a turn on the bench when Huddersfield tackle Hull as they attempt to lift ‘T’Owd Tin Pot’ for the first time in over 100 years (they last won it in 1890).

Hall has plenty of big-game experience which coach Dan Hyde and team manager Nick Bone sees as vital against the Humbersiders, who have already beaten Huddersfield twice in the League this season.

The inclusion of Hall at full-back is the only major change in the back division, but up front hooker Ben Morrill return to the front row after being rested against Preston, while Lee Brown is another recalled to the second row after standing down against Grasshoppers.

“Lee will give us greater options in the line-outs, which is an area where Hull are particularly strong,” admitted Bone.

George Hinchliff is also back in the side to bring his experience to bear in the pack, in place of promising youngster Billy Dempsey, with the even greater experience of Gareth Lewis on the opposite flank and leading try-scorer and captain Nick Sharpe at his now regular role of No8.

Bone has named a strong bench which includes Owen, James Davies, Sam Slater and Damian Clayton.

Tomorrow night’s game is the 121st Yorkshire Cup final, a competition which is oldest rugby union tournament in Great Britain, and one which Huddersfield would dearly like to display in their trophy cabinet this season.

Huddersfield: Hall, Wood, L Paxman, B Paxman, Pratt, Johnson, Hinchliffe; Stringwell, Morrill, Battye, Brown, Rhodes, Lewis, Hinchliff, Sharpe. Subs: Lancaster, Slater, Davies, Western, Clarke, Clayton, Owen.

SKIPPER Nick Sharpe notched his 18th try of the season in all competitions to nick what at one stage looked like an unlikely 26-21 victory over Preston Grasshoppers in the National II North League programme.

Trailing 21-5 it for all the world that Huddersfield’s five-game winning streak was about to end, but the Lockwood Park side again showed this season’s new-found resilience to keep driving up to the final whistle and they were rewarded with a win which should give them a huge boost ahead of tomorrow’s Yorkshire Cup final clash against Hull at York.

Huddersfield began well enough with full-back Tom Owen going over for his seventh touchdown of the campaign to give them an early lead, but then lost their way as Grasshoppers, who have dropped down the table like a stone in recent weeks, hit back with a converted try from Sean Taylor.

And that was how it stood at half time, until Taylor went over in the second half for his second converted try, and when he was followed over the line by Mark Edwards for Preston’s third score, Huddersfield were suddenly facing a mountain to climb.

They began their ascent with a penalty from Chris Johnson, pulling it back to 21-8 and then centre Ben Paxman – who is really making his presence felt since his return to action – went in for his third try in three games which Johnson converted to reduce the deficit to just five points.

And then it was up to the captain to power his way through Preston’s wilting defence for the decisive score which levelled the match, with Johnson’s conversion pushing them two points ahead.

And in the last couple of minutes, Huddersfield were awarded another penalty and Johnson gratefully stepped up and knocked the ball between the uprights to seal a fine come-from-behind win.