Huddersfield end month on a high as Ionians, Otley and Harrogate are frustrated by defeat

Dan Hyde’s men have now gone five games unbeaten but they were made to work hard by a Nuneaton side combining fierce attacking and defending with a never-say-die attitude.

After securing possession and territory long enough to put some phases together, Huddersfield went over out wide. Adam Ryder gained space on his marker and a quick hand-off and cut back saw him home, with Chris Johnson converting to make it 10-3 at half-time.

The forwards put in some hard yards to enable prop Alex Batty to score, Johnson again converting to extend the advantage. A penalty try for Nuneaton pulled them back into it but the lead was restored to 14 with four minutes remaining when a perfectly-executed training-ground routine came off for Ben Morrill to score, Johnson’s two points making it 27-10.

Nuneaton smashed their way through the home defence late on but the day belonged to Huddersfield.

The lead changed four times in this absorbing contest. Callum Irvine thought he had won it after receiving Mike Aspinall’s pass and scoring in injury time, but Harrogate were adjudged offside in the final move of the match and Caldy’s Ben Geatches held his nerve and kicked a long-range penalty to clinch victory.

A gale force crosswind made playing conditions difficult but both sides tried to play open, attractive rugby. Sam Brady, Tom Harvey, Tim Heaton and Ryan Peacey had strong games for Harrogate but the outstanding player on the field was Caldy’s No 7, Harry Broadbent.

Aspinall danced through for a try to add to Irvine’s penalty to give ‘Gate an 8-0 interval lead.

A driving maul resulted in a Caldy try for Derek Salisbury. Harrogate edged further ahead through an Irvine penalty but the lead was short-lived as the hosts scored two tries, one converted, to take charge.

Irvine reduced the deficit with a penalty before the injury-time drama brought about a compelling, if frustrating, end to the match.

Otley were the authors of their own misfortune as, after yet another promising start, they handed their opponents an unlikely victory by way of simple errors and muddled thinking.

Preston were more adept in the tight, all three of their tries coming from a five-metre foundation while Otley failed to use their superior speed to any effect.

Otley scored the opening try. They spread the ball cross-field then reversed direction for full-back Chris Georgiou to race up the wing to take the pass and run round to the posts to give himself a simple conversion.

A penalty into the corner set up the Hoppers and No 8 Dominic Moon was driven over, Graham Holroyd converting.

Former rugby league centre Sean Long kicked a penalty for the visitors but Otley responded when, following forward pressure, Rock slipped in at the posts, Georgiou converting.

Moon was pushed over for his second but Georgiou hit back with a penalty. However, the deep restart was knocked-on and from the scrum Matt Hughes snook over for the clinching try.

Hull Ionians dominated the first half and should have had the game sewn up with a bonus-point try with all the pressure and openings they created, but missed chances cost them dear in a below-par performance.

Stockport were a different team after the break and the tactical and goal kicking by Josh Longmore won them the match.

Dave Marshall converted a penalty try created by good Ionians pressure in the scrum and although they maintained the offensive, a strong Stockport defence gave nothing away.

Scott Redfern capitalised on hesitancy to level with the aid of a Longmore conversion.

Ionians returned to the attack with Oli Marns just tackled into touch inches short of the line then Gary Stephenson knocked-on as he stretched to score. They did breach the line though when a well-worked lineout resulted in a try for Ross Noonan as Ionians led 12-7 at the break.

Stockport were far more lively after the break, Longmore kicking three penalties to establish the lead that they defended tenaciously.