Cracking derby is huge hit; Blast from the past 1999.

Byline: Mel Booth

DERBY games should always be like the one played out between YMCA and Huddersfield at Laund Hill.

Two determined sides, good sportsmanship, a huge crowd and a Heart of Huddersfield Appeal supported by the Examiner that will benefit in the region of pounds 800.

The marvellous turn out of over 700 Huddersfield supporters, who thoroughly enjoyed the occasion, proved beyond doubt that this fixture is well worth becoming an annual event, as did the 19-6 scoreline to Huddersfield which only took shape with some late scoring.

They had to wait until the final 10 minutes before they could emphasise superiority.

Unconverted tries from winger Steve Lynch in the 75th minute and No8 Mike Lumley three minutes later made the game safe for Huddersfield after fly-half Marcus Kelly had shown excellent accuracy with the boot.

He landed two fine penalties in the 55th and 65th minutes, the second of which levelled the scores at 6-6, before curling a superb 35m drop-goal between the posts in the 70th minute to give Huddersfield a slender three point lead.

But it was difficult to imagine that three divisions separated Huddersfield and the YM, who showed great resolve to twice hold the lead, through penalties from full-back Jamie Marsden.

The Laund Hill side were without dangerous flanker Neil Walker, who failed a fitness test on a back injury only hours before the game.

Skipper Paul Harris marshalled his forwards really well, however, until a leg injury forced him to the sidelines in the 52nd minute. Up to then he made sure Huddersfield saw little of the line-out possession by varying the tactics, while half-backs Damien O'Hehir and Kelvin Gillespie kicked sensibly..