League strugglers can still be a major threat
CAUTIOUS Huddersfield coach Mark Sowerby is taking nothing for granted tomorrow, even though his side are ready to entertain bottom-of-the-table New Brighton at Lockwood Park (3.00).
"New Brighton may only have two wins to their name this season, but they can still get out of the relegation zone if they string some victories together, so we will not be taking them lightly," said the skipper and player-coach, who has now steered his young side to joint third in the division.
"If we play like we are capable of doing at home - where we do have a pretty good record - then we should take the points."
Prop Lal Chatha, who suffered a couple of bangs during last week's 14-5 win at Penrith will start on the bench tomorrow, with Neil Pollock, having now fully recovered from both his damaged hand and stomach problems, coming in at loose-head prop.
One man definitely out of the equation is second rower Thiu Barnard, the South African lock forward is getting married, so in comes Development squad prospect Ben Harris to play alongside George Hinchliff in the engine room.
The other change from the side which came away from Cumbria with the points last week, sees Andy Metcalfe (left) return to full-back - he missed the Penrith trip due to work - with James Swift moving on to the bench.
Although victory must be the first priority for Sowerby's side, they must also be mindful of improving their points difference, particularly if they want to keep ahead of Westoe (with whom they share third spot) and hope to overhaul second-placed Beverley.
The East Yorkshire side are still four League points better off than Huddersfield, and currently have a 30-point better difference, although they do still have to visit Huddersfield as well as Westoe.
Huddersfield: Metcalfe, Shaw, Paxman (L), Paxman (B), Wickett; Johnson, Clayton; Pollock, Gough, Stringwell, Harris, Hinchliff, Pratt, Whitehead, Sowerby. Subs: Swift, Jones, Chatha.
Falcons (Wharfedale, away, 2.15): Hall; Davies (T), Wilson, Taylor, O'Toole; Truelove, Ainsworth; Thorpe, Davies (J), Takis, Nield, Uttley, Smith, Doyne, Shiel. Subs (from): Prescott, Smith, Rowan, Morga, Grimes, Quarmby.
A team (Cleckheaton, a, 2.15): Lockwood; Littlewood, Summers, Lancaster, Tofilua; Wood (D), Cleave; Wood (M), Hayes, Nixon, Silver, Baxter, Gledhill, Hirst, Walker. Subs: Pearson, Ball, Tinker.
