Sheffield RUFC 16 - 31 Huddersfield RUFC

Sheffield drop off the pace in a fifteen minute spell in the second half and pay the price.

Sheffield RUFC 16 - 31 Huddersfield RUFC

Team Selection for Saturday, 11th November 2017

15. Fergus Wood
14. Rupert Broadley
13. Jamie Pearson
12. Frankie Robson
11. Lewis Bowman
10. Matt Law
9. Steve Depledge

1. Tommy Marples
2. Sam Graham
3. Dan Rylance
4. Dom Parsons (Capt)
5. Dave Clayden
6. Connor Mitchell
7. Sean Casey
8. Gareth Burns

Replacements
22. Ben Whitney (FR)
24. Dale Hobson (FR)
20. Sam Whitworth (FR)
19. Matt Pathrylman
18. Ben Shore

Sheffield started this match once more with a number of players either injured or unavailable, including Tom Womack, Jonny France, Ryan Seabright, Joe Cooke, Ianto Jones Andy Hodgson and Gareth Morley.

Sheffield's propensity of making a poor start to matches was once again evident with a penalty given away at a scrum in front of the posts after just 2 minutes. Huddersfield's fly half Jonny West made no mistake with the kick to give the visitors a 3 point to nil lead. However, Sheffield recovered quickly and were soon back on parity with a penalty of their own after just 7 minutes converted by scrum half Steve Depledge. Sheffield went further ahead just two minutes later with a penalty from a line out just inside Huddersfield's 10 metre, which Steve Depledge knocked over to increase Sheffield's lead to 6 points to 3. However, Huddersfield were soon back on the attack and scored the match's first try through their lively number 7, Lewis Bradley. Jonny West converted and Huddersfield had regained the lead after 14 minutes at 10 points to 6, which remained the score to half time, but with Sheffield's Dan Rylance receiving a yellow card from the referee just before half time.

The beginning of the second half saw Sheffield take early control of events, leading to a try through full back, Fergus Wood. Unfortunately, Steve Depledge could not add the conversion, but after 45 minutes, Sheffield had a very slender lead at 11 points to 10. Sheffield continued for a while to dominate and were awarded a number of penalties, but none that were kickable. However, Huddersfield were soon back on the charge and with 54 minutes gone were themselves awarded a penalty that was kickable. Huddersfield's replacement fly half Harry Davey added the conversion and Huddersfield were back in the lead at 13 points to 11 and Ben Whitney was the second Sheffield player to be sent to the sin bin. The next 10 minutes were to be a complete disaster for Sheffield, conceding two further penalties and try on 57, 60 and 63 minutes. The only positive thing from Sheffield position was that Huddersfield missed the conversion. The lead was now out to 24 points to 11. Sheffield staged a mini recovery, with Huddersfield receiving a yellow card to their number 6, Ben Morrill and then by scoring a try through left wing Lewis Bowman. Again, Steve Depledge could not add the conversion, but the lead had been reduced to 24 points to 16 after 73 minutes. However, the last hooray was to be Huddersfield. Sheffield saw captain Dom Parsons yellow carded and Huddersfield took full advantage with a try at the death through second row, Adam Malthouse, which was then converted by Harry Davey to bring the match to a halt, with a win to Huddersfield by 31 points to 16.