Stunning Field fight off Tigers in home thriller
HUDDERSFIELD notched their first home win of their National 2 North season despite playing much of the second half with only 14 men.
They defeated Sheffield Tigers 31-27 in an end-to-end game.
Field were leading 17-13 ten minutes into the second half when their open side flanker, Liam Parfitt, was red carded having made contact with an opponents head in a tackle.
It served to strengthen the resolve of the home side, who saw the match out in style.
Tigers opened the scoring in the second minute when their Number 8, Tom Calladine, crashed over for the first of the game’s eight tries, following a drive from a five-metre lineout. It was converted by fly half Mark Ireland.
Tigers weathered a Field onslaught and increased their lead to 10, when Ireland slotted home a penalty after a high tackle.
Huddersfield opened their account on 17 minutes when, after a kick for touch put them within a few metres the line, they worked the lineout infield where flyhalf Joe Potter nipped smartly under the posts. Will Milner converted.
Moments later another Ireland penalty extended Tigers’ lead, but two tries in quick succession either side of the half hour saw Field go ahead.
Ethan Myers scored the first, barrelling from short range after a scrum. Kian Stewart then crossed for a score which might well qualify for the National League’s try of the season.
Centre Lewis Workman started the move with a fine break from inside his own half. As play progressed up the left flank a series of mesmerising passing exchanges, involving Workman, Stewart, Lewis Bradley and Tom Hodson, was rounded off to perfection by Stewart. Neither of the tries were converted but Field led 17-13.
The lead changed hands four times in the second half.
Tigers went back in front after the red caed when hooker George Anderson went over, Ireland converting.
Field hit back, spreading the ball the width of the pitch, with Stewart dotting down for the try.
Tom Taylor-Dawes put Tigers ahead from a driving maul, but - after turning down the chance to level from a penalty – Huddersfield claimed victory when prop Callum Thompson went over, with Milner adding the extras.