Injuries account for both Bees and Sandal as Huddersfield win derby

Fly-half Tom Hodson converted his own try inside six minutes only for Morley to hit back with seven points through No 6 Sam Brown.

Captain Nick Sharp was on hand to put his side ahead once again on 29 minutes with a try converted by Hodson but winger Simon Bradshaw’s penalty for Morley left only four points in it at half-time.

Hodson’s penalty 10 minutes into the second half stretched it to 17-10 before, on the hour, centre Michael Clark got away for the third and Hodson converted.

Winger Adam Sutcliffe then wrapped it up seven minutes later with the fourth try.

Yet more injury problems compounded Sandal’s 32-24 home defeat by Beverley.

Flanker James Briscoe, who scored the home side’s opening try, suffered ligament damage just a week after the loss of fly-half Greg Wood for the rest of the season.

The reshuffle allowed Beverley to produce a sharper display. Centre Joe Allott grabbed a try in either half for Sandal and replacement fly-half Joe Bedford added two conversions but in a close game a try 15 minutes from time from the visitors sealed the points.

A rash of injuries and unavailability rather forced the hand of Bradford and Bingley director of rugby Henry Paul when he selected his side for the trip to Percy Park, who enjoyed a 45-15 victory.

Debutant Josh Greenfield, who is a hooker primarily, took to the field at scrum-half and, with both first-choice centres absent, winger James Morton lined up at outside centre.

This shuffling of the side appeared to be having no detrimental effect as the Bees took the lead with their first possession as Ryan Wederell crossed the line.

That advantage was short-lived as the home side started to hit an attacking rhythm with both forwards and backs playing some intelligent rugby.

Although the home side had the upper hand, it was not all plain sailing for Percy Park as both Bees wingers managed to show well with Adam Wellington proving one of the most consistent performers for the Wagon Lane side this season.

On the opposite flank, Sam Hesketh was unlucky not to register his first score in a senior shirt, having bumped and barged his way to within inches of the line.

Josh Greenfield crossed before half-time and as the sides turned round it was 23-15 and the visitors were in the game.

However, the Bees seemed to lose confidence rapidly after Percy Park ran in a couple of quick scores after the break and as the clock wound down, any hopes of the visitors scoring four times or climbing to within seven points of their hosts seemed increasingly remote as Percy Park increased their grip on the game and closed out victory.