Huddersfield 22 Otley 7: Huddersfield gain welcome lift as Hyde sinks former club Otley

Having lost narrowly in an unconvincing display at Hull Ionians the previous week, the hosts returned to winning ways in a tempestuous affair that included five yellow cards.

With a strong breeze in their favour, Huddersfield used the conditions perfectly to pin back Otley in the first half.

Having taken a 3-0 lead through Chris Johnson, Huddersfield extended their advantage to 10-0 when a ball over the top in the line-out found player-coach Dan Hyde.

The former Otley man carried forward before forcing his way over the line, Johnson adding the two points.

With Otley’s lineout not firing, the away team struggled to make significant headway and Huddersfield reaped the benefits, adding a second score after a ball spread wide produced a two man overlap.

Otley started the second half brightly and got an early try which fly-half Nick Coupland converted but, despite a good period of pressure and having the elements in their favour, they simply did not make it count.

With 10 minutes remaining, a handling error allowed Huddersfield to regain possession and kick forward, the ball bouncing perfectly for a third try which Johnson converted to seal his side’s success.

Loughborough St 48 Hull Ionians 8

Hull Ionians were no match for the pace of the students, whose fitness levels enabled them to get more men to the breakdown every time, frequently forcing turnover ball and devastating counter-attacks.

Ionians faced the diagonal wind for the first half and turned round 20-3 down with hope that if they used the wind well they could get back in the game.

However the students continued to dominate or steal possession, giving them too many attacking opportunities.

Sam Katz opened the score with a penalty then quick recycled ball created an overlap for Ed Rolston to race in, Katz converting before adding another penalty.

A period of good ball retention earned a penalty by Glenn Boyd in reply but the students struck back immediately from quick turnover ball, sending Craig Holland clear, Katz converting again.

The second half started with quick turnover ball again, for Matt McKenna to score, but Ionians applied sustained pressure on the line and then moved it wide for Jon Steele to race into the corner.

The students again replied immediately with Will Simpson finding the gap and, in the final quarter, they also scored through Fred Silcock and Craig Holland. Katz added three more conversions and replacement Elliot Markham the final one.