GIANTS FALL SHORT AGAINST CUP HOLDERS

Huddersfield Giants 28-32 Catalans Dragons

Friday saw the return of Super League Rugby back to the John Smiths stadium in only the second home game in two months. The days opponents were Catalans Dragons who found themselves in a familiar environment in a warm and sunny Huddersfield afternoon.

With the table so tight every game is of increased importance and  with only seven games remaining after this match every point becomes more and more valuable. Last time out verses Catalans the Giants sunk to a 27 – 10 loss with Frawley and Roberts the try scorers on that occasion. It will also be in the back of a lot of Giants fans minds that Fridays opponent is also the Giants final match of the season at the John Smith’s at which point the outcome of the very same game may be much more important for both sides.

Both teams come into this game with that winning feeling after Huddersfield’s 36 – 18 win over Salford Red Devils saw the end of an abhorrent run of form. Meanwhile for the Dragons they were in a very similar situation after battering Wakefield Trinity 44 – 10 bringing an end to a winless run which also stretched until Magic weekend which was also against Wakefield. With the form of both sides so incredibly familiar, an unpredictable and exciting game was always assured.

With 8 mins gone on the clock the Dragons brought an end to a relatively tame few minutes. An attempted offload from the tackle by McGillvary gifted the Dragons back the ball within 5 meters from the try line. After four tackles it was Sam Tomkins who was able to eventually find the gap and score right under the posts, he was also able to convert. 0 –6 Dragons.

Seven minutes later the Dragons were over the again, on last tackle inside the Giant’s 20 Tony Gigot punted a low ball through the Giants line which Sam Tomkins was once again able to latch onto to score and convert again. Not a good start for the Giants. 0 – 12 Dragons

23 minutes on the clock the Giants struck back! Ball played out to the wing, after the Giants won the ball back thanks to a knock on, the ball was played low to Innes Senior who controlled the ball brilliant with his foot and used every inch of his body to reach the try line! Then Jake Wardle converted brilliantly from a very tight angle.

But only moments later the Dragons were across again with the simplest of tries. The ball was played over to the left of the field where the Dragons had spotted an overlap and Brayden Wiliame was able to walk over unopposed. However, the conversion was missed and with little over 10 to go of the half the score was 6 – 16 to the Dragons.

With seven left on the clock Sam Tomkins and the Dragons were over again after last ditch tackle had seen the Dragons stopped only the tackle before Sam Tomkins picked up ran across the line, cut back in and just managed to find the line. None the less the Giants had yet more work to do. 6 – 22 Dragons.

But the Giants were not going to take this lying down, as they worked the ball brilliantly up the field including a high tackle decision, on 5^th tackle the ball was brilliantly kicked through a gap in the Dragons line which Jake Wardle latched onto and then converted! So at half time it was Giants 12 – 22 Dragons.

10 minutes into the second half the Dragons extended their lead yet again. Simple passing move down the left found Jodie Broughton who dove over the line, however the conversion was again missed, but the Dragons had extended their lead to 14 with 30 minutes left. 12 – 26.

58 minutes on the clock and the Dragons and Wiliame had his second of the half, again a simple move down found some space and went over at the line but not without question of weather or not he had put the ball down as McGillvary had picked up the ball and was heading down the other end. But to the dismay to everyone the referee Greg Dolan called the try after an extended wait for any confirmation. With 20 minutes left Giants 12 Catalans 32.

Three minutes later the Giants restored some life to the team with a kick into the Dragons try area which bounced several times before Darnell McIntosh pounced on the ball right under the posts. Which Wardle then converted, maybe some hope? Giants 18 – Dragons 32.

Lee Gaskell cut the deficit to 10 with eight minutes left when he found a gap after a brilliant run down the defensive line. Was it to little to late? Giants 22 – Catalans 32

With only 2 minutes left on the clock Innes Senior cut the score again with a successful conversion! At 28 – 32 the Giants then went on the charge and with only seconds remaining tiny margins were the difference between McGilvary getting over the line and defeat. Unfortunately, the dream comeback was not to be, but the Giants fans stood and applauded at the end consoling the team having seen the effort they put in at the very end!

The game ended Giants 28 – Catalans 32.