Yorkshire Prem Champions 08/09 (c) Huddersfield Examiner

Saturday both the Huddersfield 1st and 2nd elevens were promoted and in the case of the 1st XI their victory in Yorkshire Prem put them into the Northern League for the first time in the clubs 109 year history!

This was a historic weekend for the club and will provide a great platform as the champions move into North-East 2 next season as the Huddersfield Dragons Men’s 1st XI.

The 1st XI put in some memorable performances over the course of the season including hammering Doncaster 16 nil! The best result by a Huddersfield team since probably the 1950’s

The 2nd XI had a couple of blips at the start of the season, but that all that did was to drive the team to fight all the way  to the end of the season and gain promotion. Anyone who saw their game against Wakefield recently will testify to just how determined that team became by the end of the season. In the end like the 1st XI they only needed 1 point coming into the weekend and with Acomb conceding the fixture on Sunday (thanks Dicko!) the 2’s were up into Div 2!

The 3rd XI have had a solid season in a very competitive division and it was only a couple of weeks ago that the chance of Hudds having three teams promoted in a season was finally put to rest with a loss at Leeds Uni. To put into context how competitive Div 4 was this season our 3XI scored 81 goals and came 5th!

The 4th XI took it to the wire to survive in Div 5 and with Ben Rhydding conceding the win on Sunday for bringing an ineligible player and Bradford losing to York we’ve squeaked in for another season.

The 5th XI was unfortunately relegated on Sunday after a highly competitive but occasionally disjointed season. It has to be hard to be relegated despite only scoring an average of one goal a game less than your opposition. Plus points to be gained are some young lads coming through who will undoubtedly become excellent hockey players and will go a long way up the club.

The 6th XI will be joined by the 5’s in Div 8 for 2009/10 as they avoided relegation in their last weekend on goal difference from Rotherham which is especially fair as they scored more goals and won more games. Like the 5’s there are some great prospects to come from the 6th XI with some young men who will be on Oli and Rob’s radars before you know it!

Last but very much not least are the 7th XI who have had a great season in the newly formed development league with truly competitive hockey which will be a great stepping stone for our juniors from age-group hockey to the men’s divisions, everyone should be proud of these young players and the positive hockey they have played all season.

Here’s to 2009/10!

At the other end Huddersfield struggled to turn possession into chances as the tension led to some hasty passes and losing the ball too easily. The only clear cut effort was created by a Gregory cross and a shot on goal from Hirst which the keeper saved, but then Huddersfield won a short corner through Courtney that Mark Swinden skilfully converted with a powerful reverse stick shot to give the Huddersfield players and supporters some relief.

In the second half Huddersfield went looking for the second goal that would settle the tie and the nerves and played much better hockey. The introduction of a partially fit Jimmy Swinden gave the Ben Rhydding defence something different to think about and it was he who put the game beyond doubt first being supplied by Courtney to smash reverse stick past the keeper and then rounded the keeper and found the net from a tight angle fro his 29th of the season. Huddersfield had further chances as they played with more freedom knowing they had done enough but couldn’t add to the score line. The final whistle brought celebration but mainly relief after 3 tough wins from the final 3 league games to complete the job.

Huddersfield finished on top of the pile and with the most wins, most goals scored, least goals conceded nobody can deny they deserve their chance in the North league against the likes of Northumbria, Durham City and Gateshead next season. It has been a strong team effort this year with a well deserved success to cap it off.

Teams

Howarth
Peachey
Swinden (M)
Hannam
Kelly (R)
Gregory
Swinden (J)
Hirst
Courtney
Kaye
Robertson

Austerberry

Buckley

Brigg 1^st XI 1 - 2 Huddersfield 1^st XI

Huddersfield traveled to Scunthorpe to face Brigg the team that shattered their title hopes at the same time last season without Jimmy Swinden and host of other players carrying injuries.  They lost Gregory early to a hamstring injury and had Robertson having to play on through illness.  The first half was evenly balanced with Huddersfield creating most of the pressure and restricting Brigg to long balls and trying to catch Huddersfield on the break.  Captain Kelly had the best of the first half chances hitting a powerful strike, but straight at the keeper.  Kaye and Courtney provided most of the attacking threat down the right and the Huddersfield defence did well to handle the pacy Brigg counter attacks.

The second half started badly as Brigg took the lead and at this point Huddersfield’s chances looked bleak.  However Durrans switched to midfield provided some inspiration and a trademark burst down the right from Courtney set up Hirst for a far post equaliser.  The defence were outstanding after that with Peachey and Beatson both bravely saving goal bound efforts.  Durrans then settled the game tucking away a rebound after his first shot came back off the keeper, sealing a victory that Huddersfield really had to dig deep for.

On Sunday:

Huddersfield 1^st XI 2 - 0 Sheffield Hallam 3^rd XI

Huddersfield faced a Hallam side who had been challenging for the league title earlier in the season but had dropped away over the final stages.  Hallam employed very defensive tactics and reduced the tempo of the game well below Huddersfield’s usual pace.  This unsettled Huddersfield who never really found their rhythm and with players missing it was always going to be a fight to get the points.  The Hallam keeper made three fine saves to deny Hirst in the first half including one that was outstanding.  He also denied Gregory but that only served as a sighter for the on form midfielder who then powered a flick into the roof of the net to settle Huddersfield’s nerves.

Huddersfield continued to look like the only winners but with only a one goal lead it was a nervy second half performance.  A barely fit Swinden had to replace Beatson who badly injured his hamstring and he immediately made an impact with only the post denying his shot.  Kelly was tireless in midfield and with only five minutes to go he got a deserved reward as he managed to lift ball over the keeper at the second attempt to make sure of the three points.

Huddersfield now face Ben Rhydding at home on Saturday knowing if the avoid defeat it will be enough to win the league.

Teams

1. Howarth
2. Peachey
3. Swinden (M)
4. Hannam
5. Beatson
6. Kelly (R)
7. Gregory
8. Swinden (J)
9. Hirst
10. Courtney
11. Durrans
12. Kaye
13. Robertson
14. Buckley
15. Presto

Here’s the deal:

• Mixed league on Tuesday evenings
• Starting on 12^th May until approximately late June / early July
• Games at 7-8pm and 8-9pm
• At Lockwood Park pitch
• 7-a-side (half pitch)
• £3 per week to play
• Everyone welcome, it’s all good fun

Please let us know if you would like to play. Give us:

• Name
• What team you currently play for
• Email address
• Mobile/phone number

Email oliver.clark@lifelinekirklees.org.uk

Or tell your captain / fill in one of the forms that will be floating around or on the hockey notice boards at Lockwood.

Sign up by 18^th April to guarantee a place!

So get involved, it’s great fun and raises a bit of cash for the club too.

Huddersfield 1st XI 8 - 1 Sheffield Bankers 3rd XI

Huddersfield started their crucial weekend in superb fashion with an 8 - 1 destruction of 3rd placed Sheffield Bankers. Huddersfield scored first when Kelly played in Courtney before Bankers equalized, however this was the last time they were in the game. Huddersfield made it 2-0 then 3-0 as Hirst first tapped into an empty net after good work from Swinden and then wriggled around his man in the D to slot home into the corner of the net. Jimmy Swinden then scored a trademark drag flick into the roof of the net to put the game beyond doubt before half time.

Huddersfield didn’t let off in the second half and plundered four more goals, Man of the Match Clem Gregory added two goals to his excellent display in both attack and defense, the first he flicked home giving the keeper no chance from the edge of the D. Steve Durrans fired in a shot from a short corner and then Hirst dived in at the far post to reach a Swinden cross and complete his hat trick and an emphatic victory.

On Sunday:

Huddersfield 1st XI 2 - 3 Lincoln 1st XI

Unfortunately this was a repeat of the previous Saturday, same score, same result and same frustration at missed opportunities to seal the title. The game started without a full strength side but with a positive approach as Huddersfield dominated the early exchanges. Courtney down the right was a big problem for Lincoln and the early pressure paid off with a goal from Gregory who powered a shot past the keeper to gain the lead. Lincoln got more possession after this but their main weapon was a long ball up front to a pacy young forward who put the Huddersfield defence under serious pressure.

This pressure told when the defence hastily dived in and the Lincoln forward did well to hold off three chasing defenders, round the keeper and smash the ball home for the equaliser. It was then 2 -1 when one of a string of short corners were converted by Lincoln. Huddersfield then found themselves with a number of chances that they couldn’t convert and just before half time a penalty flick which became the second missed penalty flick against Lincoln in 8 days.

In the second half Huddersfield started well but found themselves 3 -1 down and now chasing the game. From this point it was all Huddersfield, Swinden hit the cross bar, Courtney hit the post and the Lincoln keeper played out of his skin. Hirst and Durrans combined for Durrans to beat the keeper to set up a big last 15 minutes but with all the pressure Huddersfield could not find any further goals. Two games against Lincoln in two weekends have ended 3-2 with a missed flick and a feeling that both games should have been won.

Teams

Howarth
Peachey
Swinden (M)
Hannam
Beatson
Kelly (R)
Gregory
Swinden (J)
Hirst
Courtney
Durrans
Kaye
Robertson
Austerberry
Buckley

Team:- Durrant, Mills, Taylor, S.Waterhouse, G.Waterhouse, Kullar, Abbey, Swindells, Maddeford, Connell, Hindmarsh, Hamed

Lincoln had the better of the first 10mins asserting pressure on the Huddersfield defence from the off as they sat too deep. Huddersfield then pushed out and dominated the rest of the first half getting the reward of a good goal for Man of the Match Andy Kaye as he weaved his around three defenders and smashed the ball home from the reverse stick side. , Ben Foo then showed some vey good skill when picking up the ball on edge of D dribbled in and won a penalty flick which he took himself but the weak flick was easily saved by the keeper. Huddersfield still finished the 1st half strongest if not a little disapointed to not to be more up after many breaks and close chances.

The second half started badly as Lincoln threw in an aerial out of the sun and Mark Swinden allowed it to drop before controlling and it bounced off his arm and into his chest conceding a free hit which Lincoln took quickly and passed straight to a free player in the D who slotted away for 1-1 due to some very sloppy defending.

Huddersfield then turned up the heat and this was rewarded with a Jimmy Swinden drag flick into the top left corner of the goal from a short corner to regain the lead. This was soon followed by another short corner and a swift one 2 between Andy Kaye and Jimmy Swinden for Swinden to flick over the keeper, the goal unfortunately was inexplicably disallowed, Huddersfield should have been out of sight.

Still at 2-1 though Huddersfield continued to apply the pressure but were caught on the break to make it 2-2 and despite several further chances Huddersfield could not score, then in the last 2 minutes a big hit out from the Lincoln defence lead to a one on one between their pacey young forward and Hannam who he beat leaving only the keeper to beat. Howarth in goal did well to hold up the forward allowing Kelly to get back but the umpire judged that he illegally forced him off the ball and a penalty flick was awarded which was converted for the winning goal.

Second placed York slipped up and Lincoln won again on Sunday leaving them as the biggest threat to Huddersfield hopes, one point ahead of Huddersfield in first place having played a game more. Huddersfield next face a double header weekend and play Lincoln again at home next Sunday. Two wins next weekend might seal it with York and Lincoln meeting each other on Saturday.

Teams

Howarth
Peachey
Swinden (M)
Hannam
Beatson
Kelly (R)
Gregory
Swinden (J)
Kelly (L)
Courtney
Durrans
Kaye
Foo

To make matters worse top scorer Jimmy Swinden then had to leave the field with a recurrence of a hamstring injury. Huddersfield continued to find themselves under pressure and failed to get a foothold in the game until the last 15 minutes of the first half but by then they found themselves 2-0 down after a flowing York move cut open the defence. The midfield worked tirelessly with Kelly and Andy Kaye battling incredibly hard to assert some level of control on the game. Gregory and Courtney also worked hard on the wings to provide an outlet.

The York defence were particularly hard to break down and Huddersfield had to give everything to find an opening. This eventually came as Steve Durrans smashed home when unmarked at the edge of the York area. Huddersfield then had their best spell but half time came before a possible equaliser.

In the second half Huddersfield did improve and York were kept out by the Huddersfield defence with strong tackling from Man of the Match Beatson in particular. Swinden limped back on to try and provide a cutting edge and whilst he struggled to make his usual penetrating runs he did supply a moment of brilliance to draw the game level when he drag flicked a powerful shot into the top corner. He would have won the game but was adjudged to have used his body to put the ball over the line minutes later after a Courtney shot.

York pushed hard and had chances to win but just before full time it was Huddersfield who could have clinched it with Courtney bursting through and playing in Hirst who couldn’t get it past the keeper. Huddersfield were down afterwards due to a lacklustre performance rather than the draw which from 2-0 down could have been worse and it denied their closest rivals a much needed win. Still top with six games to go.

Teams

Howarth
Peachey
Swinden (M)
Hannam
Beatson
Kelly (R)
Gregory
Swinden (J)
Hirst
Courtney
Durrans
Kaye

Team:- Durrant, Mills, Taylor, S.Waterhouse, G.Waterhouse, Kullar, Abbey, Swindells, Maddeford, Connell, Moscrop, Beaumont