Unsurprisingly strong Huddersfield team power to victory.

Selection:

1. Whitworth    6.  Ali        11 Bruce    

2. Owen     7. Dawes    12 Malik

3. Morley  8.  Raby     13 Webb

4. James      9. Dorling  14 Lord

5. Burbidge    10 Cole   15 Hinchcliffe

Subs: Leonard, Bull

Debuts were given to Leonard and Lord, and the whole pack rejigged, with Morley adding stability after flying straight back in from Thailand.

Huddersfield kicked off and were immediately on the attack, through their very large and experienced pack. Forcing an early penalty, they kicked to the 5-metre line for an attacking lineout. With ball easily secured they drove for the line, martialled by Baxter, Heath were unable to contain the weaving move and the line was crossed. With a very adept kicker at no 10 for Huddersfield, he made easy work of the conversion from a very difficult angle 0-7

Heath were unable to progress from the restart, with the ball failing to travel 10, Huddersfield took the scrum and drove back 10 meters. Webb collected the kick and he managed to release Raby into a run forward, running back round the outside he collected again and passed to Lord, who was tackled into touch.

Again, the clearance kick came from Huddersfield, which was expertly collected by Hinchcliffe, seeing Webb in space he just managed to offload but there was a knock on. Huddersfield released a huge punt downfield and a lineout given on 22. Heath fumbled the set-piece, under great pressure from very tall Huddersfield line. The defence managed to hold an attack on the wing, but once again our opponents pack proved too strong in the drive, forcing themselves over the line. The extras were once again taken 0-14

Cole grouped the squad together, and left them under no illusion that this was going to be a very long afternoon if we failed to do the simple things. Heath seemed more focused from the kick off, and Webb ran strongly setting up Lord for another dart down his wing. With James and Burbidge working to recycle the ball, Malik made a break for the line, with a knock-on ensuing, Heath were awarded a penalty, which was taken quickly by Whitworth, with Bruce collecting the ball and scoring a well worked try. The difficult chance was missed 5-14.

Heath were starting to give a good account of themselves, with forward power at a premium, they worked the ball out to the backs, at every opportunity, as they were enjoying success there. With Raby taking the ball off the base of the scrum Cole was able to kick through for Webb and Lord to chase. Webb was unlucky to see one of these chances just roll into touch before he could redirect over the line. Unfortunately, whenever a scrum or lineout was awarded in attacking positions, Huddersfield were rock solid, as was any clearance kicking.  Hinchcliffe had another barnstorming run stopped at just over halfway, after jinking through several covering defenders.  Huddersfield turned the screw once again, when a penalty awarded for a tip tackle gave them the platform to drive again from the 5m line and score with the conversion also taken 5-21

Heath won an early penalty and clearing to halfway they at last managed to secure the lineout, Malik executed a neat chip which he collected and saw the pacey Whitworth inside who sprinted for the line from just inside his own half, for an easily kickable 7-point score 12-21

The official blew for half time and replacements were made. James was replaced by Leonard who went into the pack, Bull came on for Lord and Dorling swapped at scrum half with Cole

From the restart normal service was resumed, with equally strong replacements made by Huddersfield. Winning another penalty allowing a 5m lineout, they again drove for a mirror try of the first 2, extras were also taken 12-28

Heath were tiring now, especially in the forwards where they were taken heavy hits, and in the few opportunities they were having at running rugby, they were losing ball in contact to strong tackling. Ali, Leonard and Dorling had good runs repelled, with Morley, Owen and Raby trying to recycle any breakdowns.  Huddersfield were always able to keep the pressure on, or punt downfield whenever danger appeared. Winning a further penalty on Heaths 22, discipline let us down, when we were marched back a further 10, giving them a scrum. Heath held the initial push but when the ball was worked first to the right and then to the left, an overlap appeared, and another try was added, which this time went unconverted 12-33.

Heath held out for the remainder of the game, as the official blew early for time.