Field end season in top four despite defeat at Sedgley
SEDGLEY PARK HUDDERSFIELD 22 17
their performance, but would need to put points on the board quickly.
Guy Borrowdale obliged within two minutes when he chased and touched down his own kick block.
Chris Johnson converted and the momentum started to turn the other way.
Huddersfield wouldn’t have had many more opportunities to get some points.
Twice in the second half the Tigers were down to fourteen men owing to a yellow midway through and a red ten minutes before the end.
Alas, Field couldn’t capitalise on the period with an extra man. Arthur Wilkinson went close on a penalty advantage set of phases but his double movement saw the try ruled out.
Dickie Piper was the man to get Field’s final try of the season in typical fashion. A scrum on five metres and the captain exited from the back and burst over the line from close-range. Johnson’s kick meant eight points was now the difference.
However, Sedgley remained resolute and gave nothing away, even with a man less. As the clock went red, all Field managed was a Chris Johnson drop-goal to get a bonus losing point and secure a fourth-place berth.
Had Hinckley not rescued a dramatic draw at Tynedale, it would have been a fifthplaced finish for the Lockwood men.
Head coach Gareth Lewis, while disappointed in his side’s start, paid tribute to the team’s response and in helping the club achieve a top-four finish. He said: “We were totally outplayed for the opening 30 minutes but salvaged some pride in the second half with a muchimproved performance.
“Overall, it’s been a fantastic season. To finish fourth in National Two is a great achievement and all credit to the boys, they’ve been a pleasure to coach.”