14 Apr 2023
GIANTS BATTLE TO SECURE VICTORY VS CATALANS | MATCH REPORT
Huddersfield Giants secured two Super League points as they defeated Catalans Dragons 26-14, with Sam Halsall scoring a double.
Ian Watson named an unchanged 17 for tonight’s Round 9 fixture vs Catalans Dragons at the John Smith’s Stadium, with Steve McNamara rotating his squad after the loss of Alrix Da Costa, Ben Garcia started at hooker for the Dragons.
The Giants had the early opportunities, as a huge hit from Chris Hill forced the ball loose from returning centre Arthur Romano, and Jake Connor kicked in-behind for Chris McQueen, but he couldn’t make the ball and Tom Johnstone had to run it dead.
The former Wakefield winger would be involved in the first points of the game however, as he took advantage of a looping pass to slide in at the corner and score his 11th try of the Super League season.
Tui Lolohea would then kick high, looking to force a goal-line drop out and that’s exactly what he did, as Artthur Mourgue would take the ball, but then be forced dead in goal by Esan Marsters and Sam Halsall.
On the then set, the latter would score his first in the corner, as another Tui Lolohea kick would cause issues and, after several offloads, find its way to Sam Hallsall crossed in the corner for his first try for the Giants.
Adam Keighran would add two for the Dragons, as Luke Yates was penalised for a high tackle bang in front of the posts, The Dragons half would make it a four-point game.
As the Giants started to grow into the contest, with the minutes ticking on, Seb Ikahihifo and Harry Rushton were introduced, and made an instant impact.
Rushton raced through a huge gap in the visitor’s defence, and looked to take advantage of the rainy conditions but lost the ball centimetres from the try line.
We wouldn’t be denied for long, however as Tui Lolohea was at the forefront of the action again.
Seb Ikahihifo barraged into the Catalans defence and helped us up the field, allowing Tui to loop a gorgeous pass into the grateful hands of Sam Hallsall for his second, Jake Connor adding the extras to put us into the lead at half-time, 10-8.
After the interval, Ian Watson’s men started with the same intensity as the forced Catalans back onto their own line and the try scorer Johnstone to knock on, which paved the way for another Giants try.
Harvey Livett on his 100th career appearance, was sent crashing over by Tui Lolohea after he spotted a gap in the Catalans rear-guard, with Jake Connor once again slotting over the two.
Catalans, with almost no field position for ten minutes, were then awarded a penalty and made the possession pay at the first time of asking, Mattheiu Laguerre crossing in the corner to bring the scores close once again.
Discipline once again bringing the Giants down, as it was a penalty that allowed Catalans to move up the field.
Jake Connor then stepped up and slotted a penalty goal from around 40m out, as we were awarded a penalty and decided to push our lead out to four at 18-14.
With the scores close, Catalans came again and looked to push themselves out in front, however some smart thinking from the star man Tui Lolohea meant he took the ball and raced away, sending Will Pryce 90m, with some slick play then allowing Kevin Naiqama to score.
Jake Connor, with another conversion to see us lead 24-14 going into the last ten minutes of the game.
Our Number 1, then as the hooter sounded elected to send another penalty goal gliding through the sticks to round off a well battled victory vs Catalans Dragons, ending the score at 26-14 to Ian Watson’s men.
Attendance 4685.
Final Score | Huddersfield Giants 26-14 Catalans Dragons
HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS – Will Pryce, Jermaine McGillvary, Esan Marsters, Kevin Naiqama, Sam Halsall, Tui Lolohea, Jake Connor, Chris Hill, Nathan Peats, Matty English, Harvey Livett, Chris McQueen, Luke Yates.
Interchanges – Adam O’Brien, Seb Ikahihifo, Harry Rushton, Jack Ashworth. 18th Man, Leroy Cudjoe
TRIES
Sam Halsall x2, Harvey Livett, Kevin Naiqama
GOALS
Jake Connor 3/4
PENALTY GOALS
Jake Connor 2/2
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