Play-off spot at stake in top-of-table battle

IT’S another massive game in National Two North for Huddersfield this weekend when they host second-placed Chester at Lockwood Park (3pm).

And both teams head into the match looking to bounce back from surprise defeats.

Chester lost their first home game for a year last time out against Fylde, while Field were beaten by South Leicester.

But both will see this game as an opportunity to take control of the play-off place behind league leaders Hull.

It’s not just a clash of two highflying outfits, but a meeting of the league’s two tightest defences.

Tomorrow’s guests have conceded just 204 points so far, and Huddersfield 18 points more, meaning anything gained should be hard to come by.

And Huddersfield head coach Gareth Lewis, along with his team, would love to see a big turnout for what should be an entertaining spectacle.

“The home support has been immense so far this season and they really play their part, so it would be great to see a big vocal crowd once again,” said Lewis.

“The boys really thrive on it.” Fylde .............................................. Sedgeley Park .......................... Otley ............................................... Wharfedale ................................ Stourbridge ............................... Sheffield Tigers ...................... Tynedale ...................................... Preston Grasshoppers ....... South Leicester ...................... Leicester Lions ........................ Macclesfield .............................. Peterborough Lions .............

Lockwood Park is at it’s best when fans turn out in numbers and really make some noise, as seen previously this season.

At South Leicester, changes were made to the Huddersfield side.

With games like tomorrow’s in mind, players were rested, so the team is expected to look more familiar against Chester.

The front row sees three changes.

In come Harry Whitfield and Adam Blades as props, with Fran Entressengle as number two.

Vice-captain Lewis Bradley returns to the starting picture in the back row, Nick Sharpe moves back to lock alongside Guy Borrowdale, who keeps his place.

There’s just the one change to the backs in the shape of Lewis Workman, who partners Will Milner at

The home support has been immense so far this season and they really play their part

0 5 340 264 76 0 6 354 323 31 0 5 262 263 -1 0 6 310 296 14 0 6 343 326 17 1 6 337 306 31 1 6 350 341 9 0 8 302 351 -49 1 7 308 389 -81 1 8 280 320 -40 0 10 210 407 -197 0 10 177 374 -197 centre. A near full-strength Huddersfield side can give anybody in this league a proper battle on their day, and they look to have already put last week’s disappointments behind them. “Last Saturday has now gone and the lads are looking forward to the game immensely,” said Lewis. “The result and performance seems to have reinvigorated us and there has been a great buzz in training this week. “Chester are an excellent team who have been going well themselves this season, so it should be a great game.”

Tom Hodson, Kian Stewart, Lewis Workman, Will Milner, Elliot Knight, Chris Johnson, Joe Green; Harry Whitfield, Fran Entressengle, Adam Blades, Guy Borrowdale, Nick Sharpe, Liam Parfitt, Lewis Bradley, Dickie Piper (captain)

Alex Battye, Ross Thornton, Matt Dunn, Bob Sykes, Jack Maplesden.