Don't believe you eyes

Hoppers’ poor run of away results continued with a exasperating performance away to a struggling Huddersfield. However, the 50-5 score line does not reflect the game as Hoppers’ dominated for the vast majority and could have walked away with a win.

In high insight the writing was on the wall in the first minute; Hoppers’ failed to deal with the opening kick-off and then missed some crucial tackles to allow Ben Harris to score with barely 40 seconds on the clock. The reliable Chris Johnson converted and the hosts had a seven point lead before some of the crowd had even reached their seats.

If the opening minute was a prelude for what was to come, the following 20 were an exercise in frustration with Hoppers’ wasted numerous chances to score. On at least three occasions they were presented will a guilt edged opportunity for points but poor passing and handling skills cost them dearly.

It wasn’t just the opposition and themselves that Hoppers’ were battling, they were also on the receiving end of some extremely poor officiating. The interpretation of scrimmaging laws was at times embarrassing and at others laughable, and the number of simple calls missed was simply staggering.

Johnson though was making no mistakes; he increased Huddersfield lead with a penalty and controlled the game well from fly-half, creating space for Tom Owen to cut through the defence and set up Mark Whitehead for the first of his three tries.

Hoppers did register some points when Jordan Pearson touched down following an impressive catch and drive after a penalty inside the 22 was kicked to touch and the sides went into the break 17-5. It was the least that they deserved as most of the play during the half was excellent. The pack dominated the line-out and the scrums and should have made more of their superiority.

The second half continued in much the same vain; Hoppers had the lion’s share of possession but were unable score, there would be halted by a dubious decision and then, from out of nowhere, Huddersfield would be crossing the line for a try.
Whitehead got his second after Johnson and scrum half Damien Clayton combined well from a quick penalty and Huddersfield wrapped up the bonus point when Adam Sutcliffe crossed after a nice backs move.

And Whitehead completed his hat trick when he was in the right place at the right time, after Hoppers’ lost possession.

Not even the late sin binning of Gavin Rhodes could halt the home side, as Nick Sharpe scored following another catastrophic mistake and Johnson rounded of the scoring when he cleverly chipped over a static defence to cross under the posts and take his personal tally to 20 points.

Hoppers’ Head Coach Alex Keay echoed fans thoughts saying that “we played better today than against Waterloo, but we must have wasted half a dozen excellent chances to score.”