MATCH REPORT | LOLOHEA STARS IN WIN

Huddersfield Giants claimed a much needed two points as they defeated Castleford Tigers 12-30 at the Jungle on Thursday evening.

Luke Robinson welcomed back Adam Swift and Oliver Wilson into his squad for this crucial clash against Castleford Tigers, a huge boost for the Giants.

Zac Woolford was shown a yellow card early on for a push on Joe Westerman, however being down on numbers galvanised us as we took the lead early on, George Flanagan took a high kick and sent Jacob Gagai racing down the wing, Tui Lolohea in support to finish off and open the scoring.

Flanagan added the extras and we lead 0-6.

After some great attacking play across the Castleford line, a cut out pass from Tui Lolohea saw his pass find Sam Halsall who dummied and crashed over from close range to extend our lead around 35 minutes in, after sustaining Tigers pressure.

Flanagan once again pinpoint from the touchline and we took a two score lead into the final five minutes of the first half.

Two quick fire tries from Castleford in the final two minutes of the half saw us pegged back to 12-12 as we switched off, with George Lawler taking a short pass to crash over, and then on the resulting set a break saw Zac Cini jink his way through some lacklustre defending to level up proceedings.

We continued after the break to dominate and control the game to our tempo, and as Taane Milne was inches away from grounding a Lolohea grubber, he would get a try soon after.

We broke up-field and the ball was sent out wide by Woolford to Milne, who spotted a gap and smashed his way through Sam Wood to touch down, the Giants lead again 12-16.

With both sides throwing everything at each other, and Castleford desperate to gain field position, they spilled the ball in our half and we used this to our advantage.

Woolford took matters into his own hands and darted from dummy-half, taken high by a Cas defender, we oped for the two and Flanagan added the goal to extend our lead to six.

More pressure from the Giants in the Castleford half saw Mellor look for the offload and spill the ball, the field position utilised by the mesmerising Tui Lolohea, who sent George Flanagan racing home through a gap to slide over in front of the jubilant Giants faithful.

The game was sealed by George converting his own try and we lead 12-24, there was time for one more though.

Castleford took the ball from the short kick off with four minutes to go, and they peppered the Giants rearguard, but it wouldn't break numerous set restarts, Dejarn Asi looked in two minds of where to throw his pass, and it went into the hands of Lolohea who raced away to complete a simply stunning evening for the Giants and the Tongan international.

12-30 the final score after the conversion from Flanagan.

TRIES

Lolohea 2, Milne, Flanagan

GOALS

Flanagan

3/4

PENALTY GOALS

Flanagan

1/1