HUDDERSFIELD’S Under 16 side have reached the semi-finals of the Yorkshire Cup after snatching a dramatic draw in their quarter-final clash at Sheffield.

Trailing by three points with just two minutes remaining, Huddersfield winger Liam Moran landed a brilliant long-range penalty to level the score, and under competition rules, it was enough to see his side into the semis.

Under Rule 11 of the Yorkshire RFU, if a match is tied at the end of normal time the result will be decided in accordance with: a) the team scoring the most tries; b) the team scoring the most conversions following tries; and in the event of those being exactly the same, then: c) the visiting team.

Huddersfield had taken the lead after the opening 10 minutes, when the home full-back had attempted a kick over the defence, but instead it was charged down by Elliott Spiers, who scooped up the loose ball and set off on a foot race over three-quarters the length of the field.

The Sheffield back line set off in pursuit, but were unable to catch Spiers, who angled his run to score under the posts. Lewis Bradley calmly stroked over the conversion to give his side a seven-point lead.

The Huddersfield pack were dominating the Sheffield scrums, and when the home side did threaten, No8 Louis Frear pulled off a great try-saving tackle.

Unfortunately, the referee had spotted an earlier infringement prior to the tackle and awarded Sheffield a penalty which they duly slotted over to reduce the deficit.

Huddersfield still seemed in control of play, but when moving the ball across the backs, a pass was fumbled and Sheffield caught the defence off guard to score a converted try and take the lead.

After a couple of penalties which Huddersfield were unable to take advantage of, Sheffield hit back with an unconverted try on the final play of the first half to lead 15-7 at the interval.

Winger Tom Wrigley crossed the try line on the first play of the second half, but was held up, while Bradley was held a yard short on the next drive.

New No9 Ian Nuttall was linking well with fly-half Oliver Clegg to bring the backs into play and quarter-of-an-hour in, the pressure finally told when Moran came in off his wing to scorch between two defenders and score a lovely try. The conversion attempt failed, however, and Huddersfield still trailed by three.

Huddersfield then launched attack after attack with Frear, Nathan Smith and Lawrence Ward all prominent in the forwards, while full-back Andrew Cuthill also caused Sheffield problems when he joined the line.

Sheffield’s defence somehow held it together until two minutes from the end, when they conceded that all-important penalty and Moran sealed their fate with his successful kick.