Saints Edged At Huddersfield

The Giants capitalised to cement their position in the top eight with a 24-16 win at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Saints were second best throughout as they failed to recover from a scratchy start.

A few nervous moments in the opening stages saw them kick the ball out on the full and then have to field number of tricky last tackle kicks on their own line.

Errors compounded their lack of field position too and it was therefore no surprise when Leroy Cudjoe took advantage in the 12th minute.

In fact, Saints struggled to match their hosts set for set until the introduction of Luke Thompson.

He won his side a penalty and then the visitors enjoyed some time on Huddersfield’s line.

Nothing came of it but it was a welcome respite from defence.

Giants continued to dominate in terms of possession and with five minutes to go in the half Martin Ridyard collected a bobbling ball in Saints in-goal area for 12-0.

But Saints did make a crucial breakthrough as the hooter sounded; Morgan Knowles finding a gap and offloading for Thompson to storm under the posts.

And it proved to be a timely four-pointer as within two minutes of the second half it was game on.

After Tommy Lee forced an error in the Giants’ 35, Zeb Taia took on the line, found Jonny Lomax out of the back and he duly put Mark Percival over in the corner.

Class from Saints’ potent left edge.

Saints continued to press with Taia and Percival combining to fashion another couple of line breaks but it was the Giants who struck next through Adam O’Brien following a harsh Danny Brough penalty.

It was a blow but Saints once again worked their way back into it and had a couple of chances to score before they forced a drop out with 15 remaining.

LMS went close and then Kyle Amor steamed onto a flat Jon Wilkin pass to make it game on.

Percival making it a two point game with the boot.

More pressure followed but the visitors couldn’t punch it home – and the game breaker duly came five minutes from time.

Huddersfield grabbed a drop out and Lee Gaskell took an iffy looking pass to dive under the posts.

Saints protested that their former teammate was held up in the act of the scoring, but James Child waved away their appeals and the match was gone.

Match Summary:

Giants:
Tries: Cudjoe, Ridyard, O’Brien, Gaskell
Goals: Ridyard (4 from 4)

Saints:
Tries: Thompson, Percival, Amor
Goals: Percival (2 from 3)

Penalties Awarded:
Giants: 5
Saints: 2

HT: 12-6
FT: 24-16

REF: J Child

ATT: 5660

Teams:

Giants:
1. Jake Mamo; 2. Jermaine McGillvary, 3. Leroy Cudjoe, 4. Lee Gaskell, 5. Aaron Murphy; 33. Martyn Ridyard, 6. Danny Brough; 10. Shannon Wakeman, 14. Kruise Leeming, 15. Sebastine Ikahihifo, 12. Dale Ferguson, 16. Oliver Roberts, 9. Ryan Hinchcliffe.
Subs: 8. Sam Rapira, 18. Paul Clough, 30. Alex Mellor, 31. Adam O’Brien.

Saints:
1. Jonny Lomax; 2. Tommy Makinson, 3. Ryan Morgan, 4. Mark Percival, 28. Regan Grace; 6. Theo Fages, 7. Matty Smith; 8. Alex Walmsley, 9. James Roby, 10. Kyle Amor, 36. Zeb Taia, 12. Jon Wilkin, 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook.
Subs: 14. Luke Douglas, 16. Luke Thompson, 17. Tommy Lee, 20. Morgan Knowles.