Sharp finishing proves key for Huddersfield as students are given big test by Harrogate

HUDDERSFIELD produced their performance of the season on the road to come away with a bonus-point win over Luctonians.

The visitors bravely stood up to Luctonians’ sizeable pack and deservedly came away with four tries, including two from No 8 Nick Sharp.

Prop Alex Batty was driven over with the aid of his forwards after a series of pick and goes. Sharp then grabbed the first of his tries with a fine move off the back of a maul and Chris Johnson added the conversion.

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Huddersfield led 14-6 at the break and although Luctonians gave themselves some hope by pulling the score back to 14-9 with a penalty, Huddersfield were not to be denied the glory.

They extended their lead to 12 points when winger Adam Ryder was able to slip through the home defence and Johnson again converted. Then, with Huddersfield ticking down the minutes on Luctonians’ line, some excellent possession was completed by Sharp, who scythed his way through for the bonus point. Johnson’s conversion completed a job well done as Dan Hyde’s men collected their fourth successive victory and a sixth win in seven games.

Player-coach Tom Rock admits that staff and players are mystified as to why Otley’s away form is so disastrous.

Showing four changes, Otley started with great confidence, a turnover at the kick-off saw the ball slipping down the line for winger Tom Harris to slip it back inside to supporting full-back Ollie Denton.

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The conversion was missed as was a penalty by the posts as Otley pressed but home fly-half Lee Chapman made no mistake with his 19th-minute penalty.

Otley continued to create but failed to capitalise on their opportunities and Nuneaton began to come into the game, though they, too, were error-prone and unable to prosper even when Otley’s hooker, Ben Steele, was yellow-carded on 30 minutes.

Back to full strength after the break, much was expected from Otley but the tide turned when Nuneaton stole a scrum and centre Elliott Brown crossed to give Chapman a simple conversion.

Otley hit back, winger James Toomey came inside to make the break but was unable to get his pass to Harris. Rock, now at fly-half, put Denton away with an astute pass which was ruled forward before Chapman struck a 69th-minute penalty.

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Otley looked vulnerable and just before the end No 7 Aaron Turner strode in between the posts, Chapman again converting.

A SPIRITED second half fightback brought Harrogate tantalisingly close to a major upset against leaders Loughborough.

Although the students were outscored by three tries to two, they out-scrummaged Harrogate and this, along with their overall organisation, pace and superior goal-kicking earned them a deserved win.

Loughborough’s Andy Hall kicked three early penalties to make it 9-0.

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Loughborough continued to control the game though Harrogate mounted the occasional counter, usually from excellent back-row work from Ryan Peacey and Tim Heaton. Sam Bottomley was again Harrogate’s most dangerous back.

Loughborough’s first try came when centre Chris Kinloch won the chase to touch down between the posts.

Harrogate came more into the game as the half progressed and forced three successive five-metre scrums. Peacey broke strongly but was held just short and Andy Fraser supported well to crash over.

Loughborough had to defend desperately from the restart but flanker Joe Atkinson turned defence into attack with a powerful run. Full-back Craig Holland then split the home defence with a mazy run and scored Loughborough’s second try.

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Harrogate twice came close. Will Heylings was ruled to have knocked on while touching down and a desperate tackle on replacement flanker Chris Wilson saved a seemingly certain try.

The pressure had to tell and Harrogate’s score came from another strong drive from Peacey, who sent Dickie Davies through for a converted try.

Peacey was again the prime mover in Harrogate’s final try scored by replacement hooker Steve Maycock but Hall’s penalty sealed it for the students.