Huddersfield 15 - Harrogate 26

Harrogate Colts travelled to Huddersfield knowing that if they are to seriously challenge in the league this season they have to start winning away from Claro Road.

On an extremely wet and slippery pitch, Huddersfield adopted a traditional close game using forward drives and multi-phase play. However it was the expansive play used by Harrogate that proved more successful with the opening try coming from a clever chip by stand off Charlie Hunt, collected by Noel Minikin who despite a long lay off with illness used speed and strength to break a tackle and then outpace the defence to score. The second try came when Harrogate forwards stole a Huddersfield ball and with a series of quick offloads drove down the blind side just short of the line. The ball was then recycled quickly to the backs, who with quick passing created the space for Conor Harris to pick the ball off his toes and touch down. Huddersfield persistence paid dividends when a penalty goal and then a try were scored to reduce the deficit to 8-14 at half time.

Early into the second period Huddersfield were penalised at a maul and Joe Rowntree spotted that the opposition defence were out of position and took a quick tap, sprinted forward and then chipped to the corner for Chris Hart to score. As Harrogate forwards became dominant, Huddersfield changed their strategy with more long kicks but this simply allowed man of the match Conor Harris to display a safe pair of hands and demonstrate how a speedy and elusive runner can turn defence into attack. It was from one of these breaks that Harrogate were able to create the opportunity for utility forward James McCormack to score Harrogate's fourth try earning the team a bonus point. With the game almost over Huddersfield scored a consolation try to make the final score 15-26.

Captain Charlie Hunt pushed Conor Harris hard in the decision for Man of the Match honours, controlling the backs, creating many breaks from stand off and converting three of the four tries.