2s League winning streak continues

An epic league Derby game against local rivals Huddersfield, played in good but cold conditions at Sandal, in front of a good sized crowd.

Sandal are top of their league by one point and defeat would put them in second place behind Otley. But that wasn't to be the case in this bruising encounter, with Sandal's defence proving too strong to allow Huddersfield even one try in their 30 points to 6 victory.

Huddersfield had the kick off and Sandal played up the pitch. Huddersfield attacked strongly and were denied an early try by Sandal's back row of Cartwright, Kettel and Rowntree who played amazingly all the game, never missing a tackle and always first to the breakdown.

15 minutes in, full back Scott Cranmer fielded the ball well on his 5m line and made touch. The line out was won by Sandal with Paddy Rowntree driving to the Huddersfield 10m line, a ruck followed, stand off Greg Wood cross kicked to the right wing where center Scott Seckham recycled the ball to second row grafter John Guy who got a well deserved excellent try. Sandal 5 Huddersfield 0.

Huddersfield came back strongly and made a clear open try break on the half way but Kettel managed to dive full length at pace to make the tackle and stop the score.

The refereeing was effective. Following an off side Huddersfield got a penalty and 3 points on 30 minutes. Sandal had a penalty eight minutes later making the score 8-3 to Sandal.
Just before half time Sandal was awarded a penalty try when Huddersfield threw the ball into touch to avoid a certain try. 15- 3 to Sandal at half time.

After 10 minutes of play Sandal won the ball on the Huddersfield 22. Greg Wood stand off kicked the ball high to the left wing for center Scott Seckham who caught the ball but was tackled, Scott MacGregor retrieved the ball beat two defenders and scored in the corner, 20-3 to Sandal.

The final try for Sandal came in the 20th minute following a scrum Hulme spun the ball down the line via Cranmer Barlow and MacGregor to Seckham who passed to speedy winger Cam Lees who passed the ball back inside to Scott Seckham to score a great try under the posts. 27 - 3 to Sandal with Jacob Barlow getting the conversion.

Huddersfield gained a 3 point offside penalty and Sandal gained the last points from a high tackle penalty making the score 30 to 6.

This game was by no means easy for Sandal. Throughout the game they only had 30% possession and in the second half spent 30 minutes in the opposition half with Huddersfield continually running the ball in hard against outstanding defence.

Also, in the early stages the Sandal line outs and scrums struggled against taller and heavier forwards. Eventually Sandal got the edge thanks to second row: skipper Michael Knowles and John Guy, front row: Richard Hoyland, Daz Tuttiet and Ben Booth, all the power house had excellent games. The strength in depth for Sandal was also more than apparent with: Tom Kapton, Sufy, Toby Farmer and Cam Lees all desperate to get on and when they did playing very well.

The final mention goes to George Hulme who made an outstanding try saving tackle in the last minute of the game diving hard and low to get the winger in touch to deny the try and man of the match Harry Cartwright for his excellent defence throughout. Both players epitomised the passion and enthusiasm of this Sandal team.

Next week Sandal second team play Wath, a league game at home 2.15pm KO. Thanks to all the supporters you are much appreciated.

BK