Round 12 Hemel Stags vs Huddersfield Underbank Rangers
HEMEL STAGS 24 HUDDERSFIELD UNDERBANK RANGERS 34 – Pennine Way
In the match of the round, Rangers drew to within two points of the Stags and up to third by completing the double over the Hertfordshire outfit.
On a humid afternoon, with the heat sapping energy, Huddersfield enjoyed the best of the first half, establishing a 16 point lead by the 35th minute before being pegged back and only securing victory two minutes from time.
That was due reward for outstanding visiting loose forward Darren Hawkyard, whose strength and guile caused problems throughout although the sending off of Stags’ Tom Watts for dissent in the 67th minute also undid their cause.
It took 22 minutes for the opening score after an even first quarter which had seen Barry John Swindells just thwarted by a terrific try saving tackle after a Brendan Williams break and, in response, Hawkyard loosing the ball in the tackle when near the line.
Dave Valentine’s break set up the opening points for the visitors, the ball going right for Chris Johnson to beat Jamie Acton’s attempted tackle, Neil Barrett converting.
On Hemel’s next set, Rangers crossed again, the ball coming loose and, as the referee waved play on, Barrett swooped to go over unopposed.
Again chances were missed at either end, Scott Clendenning-Fenton knocking on with the line at his mercy and Joe Worthington just failing to get the ball down for Rangers.
They increased their lead with a kick charge down, Tom Senior the beneficiary and he strode clear to the posts.
Just before the break, Hemel grabbed a life line having been awarded a penalty for a ball steal, Joseph Compton-Meyer made the hard yards and Michael Crosby went over on the right, Swindells landing a fine goal.
It was game on in the 44th minute when Williams’ superb swerve and off load sent in winger Stuart McIntyre and their comeback was complete before the hour when good hands saw Marcus Rose force his way under a mass of bodies, Swindells giving the hosts the lead for the first time.
Compton-Meyer’s loss of the ball proved costly as Huddersfield camped on the home line and Chris Leech burrowed across before Watts saw red.
Barrett missed a penalty but Lee St Hilaire’s try made it 28-22 with nine minutes to go.
McIntyre repreated his earlier feat to narrow the gap to a score but Huddersfield took advantage of a tiring Hemel side, now feeling the effects of the numerical disadvantage, and in the final minute Napoleoni Vinaka crossed to seal the win.
MOM
Tries:
Goals:
Hemel Man of the Match: MAlex Brown
Hemels Payers Player Award:
Half time:
Referee: