OF THREE DEFEATS
TYNEDALE ON BACK
HUDDERSFIELD visit Tynedale this weekend in the rearranged fixture from February’s postponement, looking to break a run of three consecutive league defeats.
It will be against a side who are immensely formidable at Tynedale Park and Field head coach Gareth Lewis knows the challenge facing his side, especially after their forgettable trouncing by Stourbridge last time out.
“It’s another tough challenge this week against a team playing some good rugby at the moment,” he said.
Not too dissimilar to Stourbridge’s home form, Tynedale have lost just one match at home this season, where they’re a force to be reckoned with.
Ten of their 16 try bonus points have come at home and they are on a streak of nine wins on their own turf.
Tynedale have also have good league form of late, winning four of their last five.
But should Field come back down the A1 with a win they could be back in the picture for a top-two finish.
Huddersfield have a boost in selection with the returns of Guy Borrowdale and Lewis Bradley to the pack.
We have gone back to basics a little this week
in training
Guy comes in for his brother Tor, while Lewis Bradley’s inclusion in the back row sees Ross Thornton shuffle to hooker as Alex Battye is unavailable this time.
In the back-line Will Milner replaces Mark Pease at centre, Elliot Knight deputises for unavailable Kian Stewart on the wing and Jack Maplesden is back in the squad to start at no. 9. Again, Field have a bare-bones squad.
“We have gone back to basics a little this week in training and the players have taken real ownership of the areas we must improve,” said Lewis.
“It’s great to have Lewis Bradley back in the mix as he’s a very influential character on and off the pitch and this will give the team an added boost.
“We are still stretched with up to 13 players unavailable but this team is capable of pulling off the
Tom Hodson, Lewis Workman, Tom Owen, Will Milner, Elliot Knight, Chris Johnson, Jack Maplesden; Harry Whitfield, Ross Thornton, Adam Blades, Guy Borrowdale, Matt Dunn, Harry Woodhouse, Lewis Bradley, Dickie Piper (C).
REPLACEMENTS: Reuben
Pollard, Darren Neilly, Tor Borrowdale, Joe Green, Arthur Wilkinson.