Ryder races in as Huddersfield tame Lions while Wilson birthday try is little consolation

In a game described by player-coach Dan Hyde as the toughest of the season so far, the hosts were forced to battle for the majority of the proceedings.

Chris Johnson gave Huddersfield a 3-0 lead which was cancelled out by the boot of Jon Boden. Johnson added two further penalties, making the score at the mid-way stage 9-3.

The visitors then came out with all guns blazing and when their try came it was well-worked.

Huddersfield lost possession in the attacking third and Leicester hit them, the ball passing through several pairs of hands on the way to the line. The touchline conversion failed, leaving a point in it until the 67th minute when Huddersfield made sure of victory.

From a turnover, some neat play in the 22 and quick work around the ruck allowed Johnson to aim a kick through the gap for winger Adam Ryder to collect and touch down, Johnson converting to make sure the opposition were two scores out of reach.

Hull Ionians 22 Westoe 34

LATE pressure brought a birthday try for Sam Wilson but it was not enough to give Ionians victory.

Westoe ran two penalties in the first two minutes for centre James Walker to cross.

Their pace enabled them to score three first half tries for a 17-3 lead at the break. Glenn Boyd kicked Ionians’ first-half penalty.

On the half-hour, Westoe struck twice in two minutes to take control. Rapid support play saw Walker cross again, Oli Steadman converting, then players powering through tackles set up Iain Robinson to provide the finish.

Straight after the break, Dan Palmer scored the bonus point try but Ionians came back into the game driving to the line to set up Oli Marns to run between the posts, Boyd converting.

Westoe made better use of their chances and Joe Maw drove over before a break up the middle by Steadman and a long pass sent in Gareth Kerr with Mike Booth converting.

Ionians dominated late on, Marns racing in and Boyd converting before Wilson went from his own 22 for a fine solo try.

Caldy 19 Hull 14

Hull’s slow start gave Caldy a head start but the comeback left the hosts happy to hear the final whistle.

Caldy prop Parker soon dived over unopposed, giving Vasey an easy conversion.

They continued to press but Hull stood firm and Lound kicked two penalties to make it 7-6 after 30 minutes.

Caldy then broke and No 8 Dickinson went over for Vasey to convert to give Caldy a 14-6 lead at half-time.

Lound struck another fine penalty before No 8 Cook sent in Robinson, though Lound’s conversion struck a post.

Hull’s veteran centre Maea David was causing consternation with his no-nonsense tackling and No 8 Cook was breaking from the back of the scrums at will.

Just when it seemed a matter of time before Hull scored again, a handling error gave Caldy the ball on the halfway line and Dickinson led the attack before replacement scrum-half Smith touched down eight yards in from the touchline. Vasey’s conversion attempt sailed wide but Caldy stood firm against late pressure.

Preston Grasshoppers 39 Harrogate 10

EFFICIENT Preston scored five tries as they capitalised on an error-strewn, frenetic performance by Harrogate.

Preston stand-off Graham Holroyd, who was to be in complete control throughout, soon put in a pinpoint kick for winger Matt Hughes to gather at pace and outstrip the defence for a try converted by Holroyd.

Hughes then took possession inside his 22 and launched a dazzling attack through the Harrogate defence for a brilliant individual converted try.

Thirty seconds after the break, another Harrogate error enabled Phil Baines to snap up the loose ball to score between the posts.

Harrogate forwards and backs combined for No 8 Ryan Peacey to crash over before Hoppers struck a penalty.

Aspinall then split the home defence from deep and the ball was recycled for an excellent try by Sam Bottomley and a penalty by Holroyd made it 27-10.

That was as good as it got for Harrogate as Nathan Fowles danced through for Preston’s bonus point try before Hughes completed his hat-trick.