Match Report | St Helens

Huddersfield Giants lost out to reigning Betfred Super League Champions St Helens 12-14 on Thursday evening, in what was a battling performance.

Huddersfield were looking to get back to winning ways at the John Smith’s Stadium but to do that they would have to break the confident World Club Challenge Holders St Helens.

Before the game both sides had spoken about how similar the playing styles were between the two clubs and how close they believe the match would be. No truer words could be spoken as the Giants and Saints held each other to a deadlock for 30 straight minutes in the first half. Both sides had made good ground throughout the half but it was undoubtably the Giants who claimed the best territory and best chances of the half.

13 minutes into the half the Giants got the first real chance, Will Pryce broke through the line with one of his signature darting runs, sent the bull to Oliver Russell who’s kick over the top was perfect for the taking but dropped by Innes Senior.

Not long later and the Giants looked to be though. Russell involved again as he sent a reverse pass into the hands of Harry Rushton who looked unchallenged but was called a forward by the referee.

The Saints however were the first to get themselves onto the scoreboard after a mistake from Seb Ikahihifo gave St Helens a opportunity from 20 out and eventually lead to Konrad Hurrell marching over the line.

On three minutes later St Helens went over again. Will Pryce’s restart went straight out to touch, and from the restart St Helens made their way down the field and, despite looking like a forward pass, was finished in the corner by Tommy Makinson.

But the Giants would eventually get what they deserved. In the final minute of the half, after a fantastic set from the Giants, Ash Golding took the ball from dummy half, caught out the Saints defenders and shot straight over the line, and with an Olly Russell conversion saw the Giants go into half-time behind but only by six.

Half Time, Giants 6 – 12.

The Giants started the second half well once again, applying pressure on the St Helens try line. The game found itself falling into a rhythm, end to end being the best way to describe it. Saints would however, eventually extend their lead when a high tackle call saw Tommy Makinson convert an easy penalty. 6 – 14 Saints.

Thing started to get messy from both sides with numerous penalties being given away on a consistent basis.

Finally! After a solid five minutes of pressure inside the St Helens 20, the Giants, off the back of a scrum the Giants shot out to the left, the returning Jake Connor found Will Pryce who found Innes Senior who was able to just find the corner! A fantastic Oliver Russell kick meant that with under 15 minutes to go the Giants were within two. Giants 12 – 14 Saints.

The final 10 minutes were tense inside the ground. St Helens hadn’t looked threatening for the entire half with all the pressure coming from the Giants.

Ian Watson's men gave a superb battling display, but it wasn't to be enough on the night as they can feel hard done by, with a number of decisions going against the Claret and Gold, eventually losing out by two points.

HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS – Will Pryce, Ashton Golding, Sam Halsall, Kevin Naiqama, Innes Senior, Esan Marsters, Olly Russell, Chris Hill, Nathan Peats, Owen Trout, Harvey Livett, Chris McQueen, Luke Yates.

Interchanges – Jake Connor, Seb Ikahihifo, Harry Rushton, Jack Ashworth. 18^th Man, Leroy Cudjoe.

Attendance - 4684.

TRIES

Ashton Golding (39'), Innes Senior (59')

GOALS

Oliver Russell 2