18th Nov 2006 Huddersfield 5(Away) 2 - 6 loss
HART T, JERRAM M, KETTEMAN M, ROUGHTON J, TIMPERLEY M, JORDAN J (1), PITCHER E, SHUTT I, DOWLEY C, BENEDIKZ W, TAYLOR J (1),
Ben Rhydding Hockey Club 5th team went to Huddersfield 5th with confidence but alas never got into the game and from the outset found themselves pinned into their own half. Despite a solid performance sweeper Miles Timperley was overrun as poor marking and passing proved to be Rhyddings undoing, with Huddersfield scoring 2 early goals. A glimmer of hope emerged after James Jordan and Matt Jerram combined well on the left hand side allowing Matt to cut into the circle. Having rounded the keeper Matt found his feet cynically kicked away in what should have been a yellow-card offence. There was some consolation as James Jordan scored the resulting flick sending the keeper the wrong way. Unfortunately the first half got worse as Rhydding were punished twice more by the sharp passing and solid tackling of their opponents.
The start of the second half saw a changed Rhydding team. Buoyed by Matt Jerrams move to centre back they defended tightly and had good attacks down both sides of the pitch with Ian Shutt on the left as Jonathan Taylor rampaged down the right. For 15 minutes the team worked as a solid unit absorbing the Huddersfield pressure and tormenting their defence. The hard work paid off as Taylor scored Rhyddings second and it looked as though they might be able to fight their way back into the game. This was not to be. As with the first half the marking became loose and Rhydding left gaps as they were forced to push forward. At one stage Huddersfield broke clean through with 3 players only to shoot wide. Two further Huddersfield goals put the game well out of the visitors reach leaving Rhydding to rue what could have been if the whole game had been played with the effort and determination of early in the second half.
