Hodgson helps Field to regain their ‘X factor’
7-2fav Led over 1f, in touch, some late headway on inside, never troubled leaders, 6th of 13, 3l behind Warrior Display at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) in Jan. 12-1 Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, ridden and ran on towards finish, almost snatched 2nd, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Sir Ox at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan. 10-1 Held up, ridden and wide last bend, no impression, 5th of 10, 7l behind Precision Prince at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6). 50-1 Towards rear, plugged on from over 1f out, no threat, 5th of 9, 9l behind Harvey Dent at Lingfield 1m 2f Novice Median Auction Stakes (3yo) (6) pol in Jan. 9-1 Led, headed 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 10, 9l behind Precision Prince at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6). 20-1 Pressed leader, every chance 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 4, 13l behind Murray River at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
12-1 Went left start, mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, behind final 2f,
8th of 9, 10l behind Hermocrates at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) in Jan. 40-1 Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, lost place over 2f out, behind when hung right over 1f out, 8th of 9, 18l behind Shir Khan at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo nov stks (5) in Nov. 66-1 In touch, pushed along over 2f out, not trouble leaders, 7th of 11, 10l behind Entitle at Lingfield 1m 2yo nov stks (5) pol in Dec. 33-1 Soon prominent on outside, driven and lost place over 2f out, soon weakened, eased final furlong, 12th of 13, 45l behind Torolight at Kempton 1m 2yo hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Going: Standard to slow Draw: No advantage THE return of star man Elliot Hodgson may pay dividends for Huddersfield as they travel to Hinckley tomorrow.
After completing his transfer from National League 1 side Sale FC, the pacy back will be looking to pose an immediate threat against a side who haven’t lost at home all season.
“On his day, Elliot is an X factor player and his signature will strengthen an already talented back line,” said head coach Gareth Lewis.
Last time out Hinckley struggled against current leaders Fylde 21-8, but the midlands side haven’t lost consecutive games in the National League Two all season.
Huddersfield greeted Hinckley to Lockwood Park with a 43-8 beating earlier in the season, but they are a team rich with bounce-back ability; out in full force to put right their wrongs.
Field sit three points off the leaders with two games in hand, and are in league-topping form.
Six wins on the bounce is the best record in the league, but Lewis refuses to be complacent.
He said: “Hinckley is a very difficult place to play and we were well beaten there last season.
“We performed very well against them earlier in the season and I’m sure they will use that as extra motivation so we will need to be at our best.”
An imposing start last week saw Huddersfield grab two tries in the opening 10 minutes through Guy Borrowdale’s heroics.
Lewis will be looking to implement the same attacking mentality, the return of winger Kian Stewart from injury will only bolster Field’s attacking menace, alongside experienced forwards Adam Blades and Nick Sharpe who return to the forward pack
“Despite a couple of changes to the team, it is still a strong squad and the lads are ready to put in a performance,” said Lewis.
“Training has been excellent this week, with some key focus areas so the lads are excited to see how good they can be.”
The tie promises to be a turbulent test between a Huddersfield side keen to steal maximum points from every game in the promotion run in, and a rugged Hinckley side determined to maintain their bounceback kings status.
15 Tom Hodson, 14 Elliot Hodgson, 13 Lewis Workman, 12 Will Milner, 11 Kian Stewart, 10 Chris Johnson, 9 Jack Maplesden, 1 Harry Whitfield, 2 Fran Entresengle, 3 Adam Blades, 4 Guy Borrowdale, 5 Matt Dunn, 6 Nick Sharpe, 7 Lewis Bradley, 8 Dickie Piper. Replacements: 17 Alex Battye, 18 Ross Thornton, 19 Bob Sykes, 20 Tom Owen, 21 Joe Green