Kicking woes fell Lions as Fieldstay on track

HUDDERSFIELD were clinical when it mattered most as Leicester Lions were left to rue inaccurate kicking in an entertaining clash in the East Midlands.

The home side struck within the opening 60 seconds through full-back Max Titchener, but Harry Key was off target with his conversion – the first of three attempted extras the centre sent wide of the posts.

Indeed, Lions opened up a 10-0 lead as hooker Oliver Taylor crashed over in the 12th minute, before the visitors found their feet.

Wing Lewis Workman crossed the whitewash midway through the first period as Field fought back, Key’s opposite number Will Milner making no mistake from the tee.

And they edged ahead through replacement Mark Chivers’ converted score with seven minutes left until the interval.

But Sam Benjamin hit back for Leicester just seconds before the whistle as he dotted down for 15-14.

The topsy-turvy contest took another twist when No. 8 Richard Piper powered through for Huddersfield, fly-half Chris Johnson adding the two, on 46 minutes.

Back came Leicester via Taylor’s second score but Dan Lewis, who had taken over kicking duties from Key, also missed the chance to send Lions ahead.

Harry Whitfield bagged the decisive try for the visitors, while the hosts could only muster a late Lewis penalty in response as Field held firm for the win.