Newman’s hat-trick and Pease’s drop-goal clinch derby victories

The visitors went into the game on the back of defeats to Leicester Lions and Harrogate and were desperately seeking a response against a side who had started the season with a win and a bonus-point defeat.

Otley started well and took the lead with a try by winger Gareth Newman in the early stages but that was cancelled out when fly-half Chris Bell went in for the hosts and added a penalty for the lead as Huddersfield grew into the game.

However, a penalty try for Otley just before the interval put them back in front and they extended their advantage after the break when a speculative chip forward bounced neatly into the arms of Newman, who ran in to score.

The conversion made it 19-8 and Otley held that advantage until the final quarter when Newman cut through for his hat-trick to secure a bonus-point win.

Sandal won the other Yorkshire derby, 26-23 at Harrogate with a last-gasp drop goal from Mark Pease.

Harrogate had improved since the start of the season but Sandal were by far the best side they have encountered.

In a nail-biting match the lead kept fluctuating but Sandal were deserved victors.

After a spirited start, No 8 Sam Whittingham burst through the home defence and, when held up short of the line, Joe Bedford supported to score a try converted by Pease.

Harrogate’s pack exerted pressure and Lewis Minikin’s penalty reduced the arrears after 15 minutes.

Harrogate out-scrummaged Sandal throughout although they sometimes failed to satisfy the referee’s law interpretations.

Good Sandal line-out ball was then quickly spread and centre Elliot Munnelly powered through for another converted try.

Harrogate’s driving maul then took play over Sandal’s line and winger Sam Bottomley tucked in at the back to score. The conversion attempt failed and, in the last move of the half, Pease’s penalty made it 17-8.

For the first 20 minutes of the second half, Harrogate played their best rugby of the match.

Minikin and Peace exchanged penalties before Jake Brady’s drive set up another driving maul and Willem Enslin’s converted try made it 20-18 to Sandal.

Bottomley then burt through the midfield and the ball was recycled for Minikin to score. His conversion attempt missed so the 23-20 lead proved to be insufficient. A high tackle led to a yellow card for Cam Leadley and Peace levelled. Sandal kept up the pressure and Pease’ clinched victory.