National Two: Bell sounds victory as Huddersfield stand firm to end Sandal’s run

Michael Pease kicked Sandal into an early lead but Huddersfield soon hit back, full-back Lewis Workman going over from close range and Chris Bell adding the extras.

Sandal looked to be taking control with Pease landing penalties either side of a darting, blind-side try from Joe Bedford to put them 16-7 up.

But on the stroke of half-time, a smart inside pass found Tom Hodson in space and he sprinted in from 40 metres, Bell’s successful kick reducing the gap to two points.

There was little to get the crowd excited after the break but Huddersfield had the better of the kicking with Sandal restricted to a single penalty, while Bell landed three and a drop goal.

Sandal went for a big play when given a penalty close to the home line in the dying minutes but Huddersfield’s defence foiled them to claim their second win of the season.

Henry Roberts went over in the last eight minutes and Stephen Depledge added the conversion to give Otley a 7-5 win at Chester in a match they should have sewn up long before.

The home side made the better start but only had an unconverted try to show.

Having withstood the best Chester had to offer, Otley took control but with defences strong on both sides they struggled to make their possession pay.

Several times they got into try-scoring positions only to be thwarted by good defence or their own mistakes.

Four penalty attempts went astray including one in front of the posts and it looked as though Otley might have nothing to show for a dominating display until Roberts found his way to the line and captain Depledge slotted the winning points.

Harrogate’s preparations for the trip to leicester Lions were disrupted by the coach breaking down before it even left the clubhouse.

Arrangements had to be quickly made for the players and equipment to travel by cars and this undoubtedly affected the performance in a 26-20 defeat.

No 8 Joe Collingham soon powered through and Jon Williams converted before Lewis Minikin darted through and then converted for Harrogate.

This proved to be Harrogate’s only score of the half. The Lions excellent scrum half, Adam Shaw

Two penalties and a converted try by John Murdoch made it 20-7 at the break.

Harrogate responded and Minikin converted after Callum Irvine crossed in the corner before twice exchanging penalties with Williams.