Huddersfield cut loose after break to seal derby win as Tigers bow down to leaders

The third successive victory for Dan Hyde’s men included six tries and proved to be their biggest score of the season. They were on the back foot early on as Harrogate produced some slick play to gain a 6-3 lead.

However, that was soon levelled as Huddersfield put together some excellent counter rucking to commit the visiting defence. The home side were awarded a penalty try to take the lead, only for Harrogate to hit back four minutes later through No 8 and captain Ryan Peacey.

Chris Johnson kicked his third penalty to restore the lead before centre Matthew Clark made it 23-13 just before half-time with a converted try.

Harrogate came out after the break in much the same vein as they had the first but their spirit was short-lived. Clark’s second try, on 53 minutes, started a rout of second-half touchdowns from centre Lee Paxman, winger Adam Ryder and substitute Ben Morrell as well as three conversions for Johnson.

Otley 20 Luctonians 36

Scoring four tries but losing heavily demonstrates Otley’s naivety in defence.

Ably led by experienced lock Alex Davidson, who tested the officials to the limit, the visitors were strong in broken play.

Luctonians were given a dream start when Otley failed to secure the kick-off, centre Will Richards crossing at the corner.

Otley hit back with prop Jonathan McMillan driven over and winger Tom Harris was held just short before Luctonians hooker Dale Garner crossed, winger John Morris converting.

With the re-start going into touch, Luctonians attacked from the scrum, full-back James Meredith coming up to score and Morris converting before adding a penalty.

James Twomey struck on 44 minutes and a strong run from No 6 Tobias Williams set up fly-half Nick Coupland and Otley were back in the game only to let No 8 Paul Hulland stride over.

Twomey scored another try but as they sought a second bonus point, Luctonians were able to get fly-half Will Burton in between the posts for Morris to convert.

Hull Ionians 23 Nuneaton 27

Hull Ionians’ strong finish at least earned them a losing bonus point but their lack of finishing ability in the first half cost them.

Ionians made a strong start but could not cross and Nuns recycled the ball at pace for full-back Elliott Brown to run clear, Lee Chapman converting.

Ionians came back again and gained two penalties through Glenn Boyd which were matched by Chapman either side of the break.

A strong run by Danny Hague set up a break by Craig Poucher, who sent in Nev Morrison but Nuns had a purple patch and scored twice in six minutes. Driving off an attacking line-out then spinning it wide put Brown clear and after lock Matt Aston was driven over, Chapman converted to make it 27-11.

Ionians finished the much stronger team. Gary Stephenson spun out of tackles to score in the corner but their next chance was wasted, going solo with men clear outside.

Pressure was maintained and Joe Sanders dived between the posts off a five-metre scrum with Boyd converting.

Loughborough St 26 Sheffield Tigers 10

Table-topping Loughborough Students proved too strong for Sheffield Tigers.

With an average age of around 20, Students had a strong pack which caused Tigers problems in the first half.

Stand-off Stuart Hall kicked the home side into the lead with a 23rd-minute penalty, but Tigers pulled level through the boot of stand-off Jonny West after an infringement in the ruck, and the score remained at 3-3 to half-time.

Tigers infringements were punished with Hall kicking three penalties.

And on one of the few occasions where they did run the ball, Students broke through for a try on 68 minutes from centre William Simpson, Hall converting.

Tigers narrowed the deficit on 72 minutes with Jamie Broadley scoring after breaking through a couple of tackles and touching down for West to convert.

But that was their last score, with Loughborough finding another gear. Full-back Craig Holland touched down and Hall’s conversion ensured victory.