IMPROVEMENTS DEMANDED BY LEWIS AS FIELD CHASE A SEVENTH WIN IN EIGHT LEAGUE GAMES Standard is
BRANDON CONWAY and Will Milner return to the back line as Huddersfield RU chase a seventh win in eight league matches at Macclesfield.
Coach Gareth Lewis brings them back for Tom Owen and Elliot Knight, who are on the bench following the impressive home 29-20 victory against Tynedale.
Reuben Pollard also starts in the pack, who dominated against Tynedale – much to the delight of the Lockwood Park faithful – and will be looking to create another platform for success.
Huddersfield have prepared by utilising a joint training session with old Crossleyans – a useful exercise as it allowed practice under match intensity.
“History tells us that games away at Macclesfield are always tough encounters,” said Lewis.
“We’ve taken one or two hidings over there in previous seasons and they still have the same core group of players from their time in National One.
“With this in mind we must approach the game in similar fashion to last week and aim to improve on that performance.”
Former captain Nick Sharpe went over for two tries against Tynedale, while Austen Thompson underlined the pack superiority by touching down in a victory sealed with tries from fly half Harry Davey (who landed two conversions) and full back Lewis Workman.
Current skipper Battye added: “After a nervous start (to the season) we hit a good winning streak and the team confidence is there now.
“Our aim this year is to finish as high as possible.”
Field go into the clash placed seventh in the National II North standings, 15 points ahead of their 11th-placed opponents.
Ben Morrill (dead leg) will have a late fitness test to see if he can make the matchday squad.
Meanwhile, fly half Jonny West has returned to previous club Dinnington for personal reasons.
Huddersfield: Lewis Workman, Brandon Conway, Mark Pease, Will Milner, Danny Grainger, Harry Davey, Joel Hinchliffe, Alex Battye, Fran Entressengle, Reuben Pollard, Adam Malthouse, Austen Thompson, Nick Sharpe, Lewis Bradley, Richard Piper. Replacements: Adam Blades, Declan Thompson, Ben Hoyle, Tom Owen, Elliot Knight.