University Rugby Archive - York vs Huddersfield

Huddersfield travelled to York for their one and only pre-season match before the 2013/14 BUCS season kicks off.

A spout of injuries and the introduction of this year’s Freshers meant several debutants played in the fixture, whilst a number of senior players were forced into new positions over the course of the match.

Despite the makeshift team the Huddersfield squad played well in their first match together, and were hard done by with the final scoreline.

The game was split into two 20 minute quarters and one 40 minute half and got off to a fast paced start, York applying all the early pressure but to no avail against Huddersfield’s valiant defensive line.

Huddersfield were able to dilute York’s relentless attempts to score up until the final minutes of the first quarter, when York’s scrumhalf barged through the defensive line to score under the posts, a successful conversion made it 7-0 to York.

A few changes were made at the first break and Huddersfield came racing out of the blocks in the second quarter, turning the momentum of the tie completely in their favour.

The likes of Liam Ryan and Dan Western were consistently making it over the gain line as Huddersfield set up camp in their opponents 22.

Huddersfield’s pressure culminated in James Summerscales being bought down just short of the line where Huddersfield were eventually turned over.

The home side pushed up field and gained a penalty near halfway, opting to kick for touch near Huddersfield’s line.

A catch and drive from the resulting lineout forced a second York try and left the halftime score at a flattering 12-0 to York.

Despite being in the game for the majority of the match, a combination of York substitutions and Huddersfield injuries meant that the away side leaked three soft tries in the second half and did their efforts an injustice on the scoreboard.

Fresher Mako Vunipola managed to get them on the score sheet however, barging over to score Huddersfield’s only try.

Dutch export Sam Brown attempted the conversion but managed to grubber kick the ball off of the tee meaning the final score was 33-5 to York.

Aside from the result Huddersfield have a lot of positives to take from their performance, a host of players returning from injury coupled with new players fighting for starting berths leaves Huddersfield optimistic of their chances at promotion for the coming season.