Huddersfield grateful for Hodson’s choice

SANDAL romped to a resounding 41-29 success at Sale, scoring five first half-tries.

Winger Simon Frewin started the try spree, followed by second-row Austen Thompson, scrum-half Max Whittingham and winger Jake Mulhern before Frewin wrapped up the half with his second.

Sandal led 41-10 after a second by Mulhern, but injuries disrupted the momentum late on.

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Huddersfield hit back at home to Billingham for their first points after relegation from National Two North.

The hosts held a slender 9-3 advantage at half-time, following penalties by debutant fly-half and man-of-the-match Tom Hodson.

Early in the second half the scores were levelled and Billingham then led with a length of the field try.

Huddersfield pulled it back to 16-16 from a penalty try, only to let the opposition in again with a chip over the defence. Hodson held his nerve to land three penalties in the latter stages for a 25-21 success.

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Promoted Morley were in fine form at home to Beverley, though they were left sweating on a 
27-26 victory in the dying moments.

Tries from prop Ben Bell, flanker Mike Smythe and centre James Edersby saw the Maroons build a comfortable 27-9 lead but the visitors hit back with three tries.

Henry Paul’s first game in charge of Bradford and Bingley ended in a 46-12 defeat at Burnage. The hosts’ quick and abrasive style of play and their ability to use the nuances of their home ground superbly caused numerous problems for a Yorkshire side intent on making weak tackles.

The home side were superbly marshalled from stand-off by Ross Winney, but the men inside and outside were a constant threat.

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The Bees began both halves brightly and were on top in the early exchanges; in the first half the cruellest of bounces deprived the Wagon Lane men of a chance to open the scoring and almost immediately, a second strange deviation of the ball saw it fly up off the surface let in Burnage for the opening score.

The opening five minutes of the second half appeared to be all Bees, before another mistake allowed Burnage to resume command.

Brett Mitchell and Adam Wellington scored the Bees’ tries in the second half but it was a tough start to the campaign.

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