Giants seal Quarter Final berth

Huddersfield Giants 30

Tries: Yates, Leutele, Ikahihifo, Ashworth, I. Senior

Goals: Russell (5)

Drop-Goals:

Barrow Raiders 16

Tries: Ritson (2), Stack 

Goals: Sammut (2)

Drop-Goals:

Huddersfield Giants: Golding; McGillvary, I. Senior, Leutele, L. Senior; Russell, Cudjoe; Lawrence, O’Brien, Wilson; Greenwood, Ashworth, Yates

Hewitt, Levi, Mason, Ikahihifo

Barrow Raiders: Cresswell; Ritson, Miloudi, Wheeler, Toal; Sammut, Johnston; Forster, Wood, Gilliam; Hopkins, Stack, Iaria

Mossop, Emslie, Brooks, Morrow

Huddersfield Giants sealed their place in the Betfred Challenge Cup Quarter Final with a 30-16 victory against Barrow Raiders. 

Huddersfield were without a number of their first-teamers due to injury, with Tui Lolohea making the trip but after a late fitness test was unable to play. The lack of halves fit meant that Leroy Cudjoe was called in at number six for the first time in a number of years.

After a feisty opening 16 minutes, Luke Yates crashed over the line to give the Giants the lead, Russell converting soon narrowly soon after. Three minutes later, an exceptional ball from Olly Russell set up Ricky Leutele for the Giants second, doubling the Giants lead after Russell made it two from two from the boot on the afternoon. 

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Sebastine Ikahihifo would extend the lead to 10 points with a lungbusting run with just under a minute on the clock, with Russell nailing his third conversion of the day. The Giants would go into the sheds happy with their first half performance and holding a twelve point lead. 

It would be the visitors who would score the first points of the second half, courtesy of Tee Ritson again after some flowing Rugby from the hosts, as the Raiders cut the Giants lead to eight points. Sammut was unable to convert the conversion from the touchline. A few minutes later however, the Giants would reassert control through Jack Ashworth, who completed a great carry to cross over to reestablish a twelve point lead. Russell would strike the upright with his attempted conversion however and twelve would remain the difference between the two sides. 

With 24 remaining on the clock, the Raiders would make the game a contest yet again. Jarrad Stack would cross over to reduce the deficit again, and Sammut would convert yet again to keep the game competitive. A penalty conceded in front of the posts with 63 minutes gone would allow the Giants to restore a two score lead, which was dispatched by Olly Russell successfully.

Barrow would continue to keep the heat on the Giants throughout the final quarter, but Huddersfield responded well and with a resolute defence, and held a number of Barrow attacks. Huddersfield Giants would put it beyond doubt thanks to Innes Senior, who pounced on a Barrow mistake to score. Olly Russell would get his fifth kick of the afternoon, and the Giants would seal their place in a Betfred Challenge Cup Quarter Final with Hull FC.