Huddersfield 8 - 38 Hull Ionians

RFU National - SSE Nat League 2 North Fixture,

Saturday, October 13th, 

K.O: 15:00, Lockwood Park, Huddersfield

Hull Ionians Will Heylings summed up where the game was won and lost on an overcast and dreary day in what proved to be a relatively one sided affair at Lockwood Park, Huddersfield.

‘It was the best thirty minutes of rugby we’ve played this season’ the player enthused, as one of the outstanding performances of the day helping himself to two tries, as the home side Huddersfield went down eight points to Hulls thirty eight.

Huddersfield started well, kicking from right to left, gaining early yardage on the visitors, winning the ensuing line out; Thomas Owen converted the penalty kick to take an almost immediate lead.

The pendulum began to swing in Hull’s favour pressing with drive and purpose, Huddersfield initially strong in defence could not withstand the consistent pressure and subsequent scrummage, Joe Sanders going over to score the try, and Hull’s James Ferguson converting the kick.

Hull, second in the National League Two North only bested in position by early pace setters Stourbridge never looked back as they began to dominant possession, not allowing the home side to breathe.

It didn't take long for the away side’s evident superiority in possession to gain purchase once more, Richard Fletcher running with conviction, propelling his side forward resulting in a try from Joseph Martin after working the ball right to left, showing great cohesion as a team, Huddersfield out-muscled  Hull playing with pace, power and strength.

With the visitors beginning to turn the screw and open up a sizable points advantage over the hosts, Will Heylings provided the catalyst with ruthless try, splitting the Huddersfield defence.

Ionians were stronger in the tackle, so too in the scrum, showing more impetus in possession, the home side looking shell shocked  good handling from Hull’s Richard Fletcher again got the visitors on their way.

Poor ball retention proved to be Huddersfield’s undoing as they never looked a real threat in contrast to Hull’s dominance.

The second half performance showed signs of improvement for the Home side who hadn't won in their last six league games. Good endeavor was telling, as the home side instilled some pride before the end of proceedings with Jack Moon scoring the try.

However the damage was done and the gap proved too great.
A succession of tries from the visitors through, Stephen Johnson, Michael Bateman and a second for Will Heylings including four out of six conversions from resident number 10 James Ferguson come the finish proved the difference.