Huddersfield 58 Derby 15
14/2/26
Derby travelled to promotion chasing Huddersfield, knowing a tough task awaited them.
Huddersfield kicked off, on a rare dry day and it only took 5 minutes to show the size of task that Derby faced.
The first scrum saw Derby shoved backwards; the first time this has happened all season. The 2ndscrum, moments later, was exactly the same, but also saw Derby lose hooker, Andrew Harriott, to a neck injury that required a hospital visit. Fortunately, a scan showed that the damage was mainly muscular rather than anything more serious. Get well soon Andrew !
Derby recovered from this and a 50-22 from Josh Bingham put them into a good attacking position. Derby went through attacking phases, without creating a try scoring opportunity. The ball went back to Josh Bingham and he calmly dropped a goal to give Derby the lead, after 17 minutes.
The lead did not last long, as Huddersfield hit back with 3 tries in the next 8 minutes. A conversion saw Huddersfield lead 17 – 3.
3 tries in the final 5 minutes of the half provided and an exciting conclusion.
Derby scored first, when James Godfrey picked the ball up at the back of a ruck and went straight through the middle to score. Lewis Hancock converted.
Huddersfielf went straight down the other end and scored a converted try of their own.
Derby had the last word of the half, when Cam Finlay sprinted 25 metres to score his 7th try of the season, in the corner.
This left the half time score 24 – 15 to Huddersfield and Derby could be very pleased with their efforts.
The 2nd half proved to be a bridge too far for Derby, as the bigger, more physical Huddersfield side made their size count.
Huddersfield scored 2 tries in the openeing 20 minutes of the half and Derby had spells of pressure, without being able to add to their points total.
In the final 10 minutes, as injuries mounted for Derby, Huddersfield ran away with the game.
Four times Huddersfield crossed the Derby line and with 2 conversions, completed the scoring.
Huddersfield were clearly deserved winners, but this Derby side can hold its collective head high. They gave everything to the cause and heads didn’t drop at any stage, despite being overwhelmed at times.
Leek visit Haslams in 2 weeks.
Come on Derby !
R. Bambra
