Huddersfield Hockey Club claimed the Yorkshire Premier League title on Saturday with a 3-0 victory over Ben Rhydding 2nd XI. It was a nervy encounter given that Huddersfield had to avoid defeat to get the one point required to close out Lincoln at the top of the league. Ben Rhydding set up to avoid the hammering they took in Ilkley and initially it worked as they created the best chances but fortunately for Huddersfield Paul Howarth turned in a Man of the Match performance in the Huddersfield goal making a string of good saves. It could have been a much more uncomfortable afternoon had they taken on or more of their first half chances. The defence as they have been all season were strong in the face of some early pressure.

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