SAINTS recorded their first league win at Huddersfield in five years with a hard fought and well-earned 11-8 victory.
In a scrappy and often error strewn clash they weathered an early storm – both from the home side and the elements – to gain a much needed two points.
Luke Walsh, Travis Burns and Jon Wilkin all got through the match too after returning from injury – but that was tempered somewhat by the loss of Matty Dawson.
The trio were integral in the performance with each making telling contributions.
Burns kicked two penalties, Wilkin moved to 13 and was stellar in the second half and Walsh, playing in his first game since July last year, kicked a vital drop goal.
But this was a real 1-17 effort following Leroy Cudjoe’s early score in the opening few minutes.
Saints almost hit back when Wilkin chipped to the posts but Tommy Makinson just couldn’t pounce on a bouncing ball.
And who could blame him when it came off the post and the crossbar!
Two penalties put the Giants back in the hunt and then Saints had to defend a drop out once again.
The game was getting niggly in the centre of the field with both sides putting in some big hits.
But three penalties in a row to the Giants gave Brough the chance to extend the lead which he did on 25 minutes.
James Roby spanked a 40:20 three minutes later but Saints failed to take advantage on the resultant three sets that followed.
Huddersfield almost made them pay but after Wilkin’s high ball forced Aaron Murphy to knock on, Jordan Turner ploughed over, on a great line, for his eighth of the season.
Burns making it 6-6 at half time.
Conditions weren’t making for the most fluid of games and the early stages of second half were punctuated with missed tackles and dropped balls.
Burns missed a penalty shot after Hohaia was held down… and that came seconds after Wilkin was taken high and late off the ball.
The stand-off’s second attempt on 55 minutes was more successful though and it made the game 8-6.
Mose Masoe saw yellow for a late hit three minutes later and Brough duly notched the two-pointer to level it up.
Saints were under the pump but managed to hold out and even extend their lead with a Luke Walsh drop goal.
A most welcome return from the scrum half.
Burns tagged on another penalty on 70 minutes after Roby was taken high – and that came after Adam Swift’s wonder run which not only stopped Brough’s dangerous kick but got him out of his own in goal too.
Saints D continued to force errors in final ten minutes and at times it was desperate as well as heroic.
But Keiron Cunningham’s men were relying on it too much and were more than happy when Brough’s kick to corner was too strong in the last minute.
Saints had to withstand one last throw of the dice – and they did – and the reaction of Kyle Amor who punched the air when the hooter went said it all.
Match Summary:
Giants:
Tries: Cudjoe,
Goals: Brough (2 from 3)
Saints:
Tries: Turner
Goals: Burns (3 from 4)
Drop: Walsh
Penalties:
Giants: 13
Saints: 7
HT: 6-6
FT: 11-8
REF: James Child
ATT: 5825
Teams:
Giants:
1. Scott Grix; 2. Jermaine McGillvary, 3. Leroy Cudjoe, 22. Jake Connor, 5. Aaron Murphy; 6. Danny Brough, 20. Jamie Ellis; 8. Eorl Crabtree, 7. Luke Robinson, 15. Craig Kopczak, 17. Ukuma Ta’ai, 12. Jack Hughes, 13. Chris Bailey.
Subs: 10. Craig Huby, 16. Kyle Wood, 19. Anthony Mullally, 30. Jordan Cox.
Saints:
16. Lance Hohaia; 2. Tommy Makinson, 22. Matty Dawson, 3. Jordan Turner, 5. Adam Swift; 6. Travis Burns, 12. Jon Wilkin; 10. Kyle Amor, 9. James Roby, 14. Alex Walmsley, 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 15. Mark Flanagan, 18. Luke Thompson.
Subs: 7. Luke Walsh, 8. Mose Masoe, 19. Greg Richards, 25. Andre Savelio.
