Huddersfield 27 Leicester Lions 23

An early exchange of scores set the tone for what was to become an exciting game for home support and one of disappointment for the travelling Lions faithful.

Devon Constant hit back with an immediate response from the kick off, after an early try from Huddersfield’s Tom Owen. Rising like a salmon, Constant took the restart and raced home past the despairing cover defence to score an excellent solo effort. Williams unfortunately mirroring Bell’s earlier unsuccessful conversion. (5-5)

Huddersfield soon regathered their grip of the game 5 minutes later with a try from Austen Thompson, good work down the blind side led to a well taken finish. Bell able to add the extras from wide out. (12-5)

Williams struck back with a strike of his own to narrow the margin, however ill-discipline at the ruck led to a quick reply from Bell. (15-8)

Lions arguably then had their best spell of the game, maintaining possession deep in Huddersfield’s 22, Constant was unlucky not to grab his second of the day after being held up over the line. From the resulting scrum, a solid platform allowed Collingham to score from close range. Williams adding the extras in front of the sticks. Bell shortly after added three more points, making the score at half time 18-15 to Huddersfield.

The start of the second half saw Lions take the lead for the first time in the game with a well taken lineout drive finished by Collingham, Williams unable to add to his tally. (18-20) This however was as good as it got for Lions with Huddersfield dominating the remainder of the match. Chris Bell converted three unanswered penalty kicks to take the score to 27-20 with seventeen minutes remaining.

William Bishop added a penalty for the Lions in the seventieth minute from short range, but Huddersfield held out the final ten minutes to seal a deserved victory.

Report by Adam Shaw