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SAINTS missed out on the chance to go for ‘four in a row’ as the Huddersfield Giants booked a date at Wembley with a 24-14 win at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Two tries within five opening second half minutes ultimately gave the Giants the edge in a pulsating Challenge Cup Semi Final.

Francis Meli’s second with around 25 minutes to go had given Saints a lifeline after finding themselves 18-4 down.

But the Giants held on for a famous win despite almost constant pressure from the Saints.

Apart from the first ten minutes, Saints dominated the first half but failed to threaten when close to the Giants’ line.

Brett Hodgson opened the scoring for Huddersfield only to see Francis Meli pull the scores level.

From there, Saints had all the possession and territory, but couldn’t find a way through a resolute defence. That said, they did have three tries correctly disallowed in the final five minutes of the half...

Stephen Wild’s try – minutes before the hooter – came against the run of play to give the Giants a 10-4 half time lead.

In the second half, two tries within ten minutes turned the game on its head. Leroy Cudjoe put the Giants further ahead within the first minute and then Kevin Brown increased the lead moments later.

Francis Meli got his second following superb work from Jon Wilkin and Lee Gilmour but Wild’s second sealed the win.

The excellent Meli notched up a deserved hat-trick at the death.

Pre-game, Keiron Cunningham passed a late fitness test on his knee and started at hooker, whilst Chris Dean and Bryn Hargreaves both overcame illness to be named in the 17.

James Roby was also unexpectantly recalled to the side after sustaining a broken hand against Wakefield and featured on the bench.

A mobile pack – that’s was the theme of the Giants’ side – with the canny Brett Hodgson named to come off the back of their go-forward and Scott Moore lining up once again to face his ‘parent’ club.

Crowd wise Saints easily outnumbered their Yorkshire counterparts and were in fine voice before the match too.

Saints kicked off and set about getting stuck into the Giants pack. And on Huddersfield’s first set, Luke Robinson fired up a high bomb that was taken by Ade Gardner.

On their next set, Robinson broke through, fed Brett Hodgson, who had Liam Fulton on his outside. From there, Jamahl Lolesi had a clear run to the line, but he slipped at the vital moment and the chance was lost – Chris Dean hovering up.

It was a warning Saints should have heeded as, on the back of a penalty, Robinson combined with Fulton to send the ball wide to Brett Hodgson who brought his winger into play and then took the return pass to go over. He then missed the simple conversion.

On 10 minutes, Wellens took a cute chip to the corner from Robinson, who seemed to be the hub of everything Huddersfield in the opening exchanges.

But three minutes later, Saints were handed a penalty right on the Giants’ line and after a couple of drives, it went left and Francis Meli popped up with a four-pointer. The ball was floated to him and the big man backed his strength to go over. Eastmond wide with the extras.

On 19 mins, Matt Gidley went close and then Eastmond’s chip was caught under his own crossbar by Brett Hodgson.

Seven minutes later, Leroy Cudjoe was caught in goal after another deft chip from Eastmond.

From the drop out, Saints won a penalty and after Eastmond gained good yards, the video referee ruled Leon Pryce was held up over the line. On the last, Eastmond’s slide-rule chip was cleared by the defence.

But out of nowhere, Giants took the lead. After being on the back foot for the majority of the first half, Stephen Wild took a nice, but forward-looking, pass to go over after Huddersfield had created a 4 on 1 overlap. B. Hodgson with the conversion.

In the last minute of the half, Saints worked a wonderful move from the scrum that saw two dummy runners, and a superb pass from Pryce, set up Eastmond. The youngster went for the line and was just held up short by some excellent cover tackling. Two tackles later, Lee Gilmour went for the gap and outstretched the ball over the line. But he was called for a double movement.

Half Time: Saints 4 Huddersfield 10

Straight from the kick off, a knock on gave the Giants prime attacking options. From the scrum, the ball was kicked to the corner and Leroy Cudjoe won a foot race with Paul Wellens to plant the ball down. B. Hodgson short with the tricky extras.

And six minutes later, Robinson’s kick to the corner caused mayhem with both David Hodgson and Ade Gardner jumping for the ball. When the ball came down, Kevin Brown mopped up the ricochet to fortuitously increase the Giants’ lead. For all eyes, it looked like Hodgson had knocked on to Gardner’s head, but the video referee ruled otherwise.

When Saints hit back, it was only as they know how. From within their half, the ball went left and Pryce fed Jon Wilkin.

Wilkin then gobbled up the yards before Lee Gilmour chipped ahead - only for Wilkin to recollect and feed the waiting Meli for his second of the game. Eastmond with the extras.

Saints’ next set almost brought another score; Eastmond chipping into the centre and Lee Gilmour just knocking on.

With 18 minutes to go, Saints had more pressure on the Giants’ line. On the back of three penalties they had three good sets but couldn’t find a way though some scrambling defence.

Six minutes later Saints were knocking on the door again – this time winning a drop out as the Giants held firm.

Eastmond tested out Cudjoe with six minutes left in the game, but he took the ‘bomb’ well under pressure from Meli.

From there, the Giants went the full length of the field and the outstanding Brett Hodgson’s chip found its way to Stephen Wild who sent his side to Wembley.

Meli added his third as the hooter warmed up.

Match Summary:

Saints:

Tries: Meli (3)

Goals: Eastmond (1 from 3)

Huddersfield:

Tries: B. Hodgson, Wild (2), Cudjoe, Brown

Goals: B. Hodgson (2 from 5)

Penalties:

Saints: 8

Huddersfield: 11

HT (Sts First): 4-10

FT (Sts First): 10-24

REF: Richard Silverwood

ATT: 10638

Teams:

Saints:

1. Paul Wellens; 2. Ade Gardner, 3. Matt Gidley, 19. Chris Dean, 5. Francis Meli; 6. Leon Pryce, 18. Kyle Eastmond; 10. James Graham, 9. Keiron Cunningham, 16. Tony Puletua, 13. Chris Flannery, 12. Jon Wilkin, 11. Lee Gilmour.

Subs: 14. James Roby, 15. Bryn Hargreaves, 17. Paul Clough, 24. Andrew Dixon.

Huddersfield:

1. Brett Hodgson; 21. Leroy Cudjoe, 11. Jamahl Lolesi, 4. Paul Whaturia, 5. David Hodgson; 3. Kevin Brown, 7. Luke Robinson; 16. Keith Mason, 20. Scott Moore, 10 Darrell Griffin, 13. Stephen Wild, 6. Liam Fulton, 9. David Faiumu.

Subs: 8. Eorl Crabtree, 15. Paul Jackson, 18. Danny Kirmond, 24. Shaun Lunt.

graham c says:
Just thought a lack of power without Cayless and Maurie cost us.Longy was a big miss as well. The Giants "defended" well even the coach gave them a big wrap but anyone can defend well with a minutes rest between tackles ! With a bit more composure and an even share of luck it would have been different. On to the next game.

John G says:
Huddersfield finished better & that's why they are in the final. My only frustration is with this farce they call "obstruction". We saw two examples in two different games, with two different results. It's a lottery.

garry says:
dont want to be too critical but seems to me we have lost that extra spark at the moment.with the amount of possesion we had the result should have been a lot different despite good giants defending.every one seems to be waiting for someone else to make the play instead of making it happen themselves

Z says:
WE MISSED LONGY. KYLE IS GOOD BUT NEEDS TIME TO MATURE

Nick says:
Good effort from out men, not enough in the end though the best team won on the day Huddersfield are a fantastic team this year and I personally think Nathan Brown could take them too many big things in the next few years. We carnt win it every year ' I back hudds ' pleas edont let wire win it :)

paul at slepe says:
What great defence from the Giants,lets be honest ,the best side won,now its up to us to win the grand final,get your money on us

graham c says:
On reflection HG did play really well and I should have given them more credit but I am frustrated at the ptb situation because it so obviously affects our game and with so many injuries and a percieved lack of power up front we were going to struggle. I am not sure if there has been any directive from Red Hall but slow play the balls have changed the game in the last two years.We need to adapy better to that imo.

stevieb says:
Slow play the balls are killing the game. We could get no momentum and obviously suited HG.Lets concentrate on the Grand Final now, I'm sure we can win it this year.

Ken G says:
Sod it we cant go every year but spare a thought for my mate from Wigan he bought his mam a Wigan RLFC tea set from the club shop for her anniversary but had to take it back cos there was thirteen mugs but no cups.

Laura says:
Gaints were the better team and lets be honest saints never really showed up 2 the game! i dont understand that if longy was in the 19 man squad why he was in normal clothes surely he is part of that team an he should dress like he is not like hes above everyone else!!

tony wilson says:
I have seen some very good displays by saints but this one was a poor one, we need some one who punches holes in the defence in the forwards. there was little or no second phase for the forwards to pass too and yes kyle has the potential but lacks some tacktical skills at this moment in time. we are missing some good forwards. hope they are ready for the end of the year games.

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Saints Beaten In Cup Semi Final

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