Saints see off hard-working Giants

Saints battled off a second half fight back by Huddersfield Giants to maintain our 100% winning start to the season and unbeaten run in 2021.

Mark Percival was back in the starting 13 as was Sione Mata’utia, whilst Kevin Naiqama moved to the wing and Jack Welsby retained his place at centre.

Saints came out of the blocks strongly and took a lead after just four minutes through Theo Fages, who got his first of the season. Lachlan Coote kicked a high ball to the corner and a great chase and claim by Jack Welsby was enough to beat the defender, before he offloaded to Fages to go over. Coote added the extras to make it 6-0.

Despite minimal threat on the Saints back line, Huddersfield defended well against the relentless pressure. Kyle Amor was convinced he’d got his first of the season, but video referee Ben Thaler agreed with the on-field decision that he was held up on the line on 30 minutes.

Saints’ relentless pressure paid off with three minutes of the half to go; Mark Percival, on his return, going over after he latched onto a pass out wide from Jonny Lomax. Coote made it two from two, giving Saints a 12-0 lead going into half time.

Giants started the second half the stronger team as Saints were a little sloppy. Jack Cogger kicked a 40/20 and that led to the Giants eventually going over on their third set as Chris McQueen found space in behind Welsby. Aidan Sezer missed the conversion, making it 12-4 after 47 minutes.

The game remained in the balance and well fought, but it was Saints who responded after 63 minutes. Regan Grace started it off with a characteristic run through the back line which put Saints in a good position before Lewis Dodd, off the bench, broke from dummy half and found Lomax with a lovely short pass and Jonny had his first Try of the season. Coote made it three from three, extending the lead to 18-4.

Giants refused to be beaten and came back once more, Jermaine McGillvary going over in the right corner after Cogger had found the space. Sezer converted this time, making it 18-10 with eight minutes to play, but Saints held out for the win.

Match Summary:

Huddersfield 13: Lee Gaskell, Joe McGillvary, Chris McQueen, Sam Wood, Darnell McIntosh, Jack Cogger, Aidan Sezer, Jack Ashworth, James Cunningham, James Gavet, Ken Edwards, Luke Yates, Josh Jones.

Interchanges: Matty English, Adam O’Brien, Michael Lawrence, Oliver Wilson.

Tries: McQueen (46), McGillvary (71)

Conversions: Sezer

Saints 13: Lachlan Coote, Kevin Naiqama, Jack Welsby, Mark Percival, Regan Grace, Jonny Lomax, Theo Fages, Alex Walmsley, James Roby, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Joel Thompson, James Bentley, Sione Mata’utia.

Interchanges: Kyle Amor, Agnatius Paasi, Lewis Dodd, Jake Wingfield.

Tries: Fages (4), Percival (37), Lomax (63)

Conversions: Coote (3)

Half time: 0-12

Full time: 10-18

Referee: Robert Hicks

Saints Line up

1 Lachlan Coote
3 Kevin Naiqama
1 Jack Welsby
4 Mark Percival
5 Regan Grace
6 Jonny Lomax
7 Theo Fages
8 Alex Walmsley
9 James Roby
15 Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook
11 Joel Thompson
12 James Bentley
11 Sione Mata’utia
18 Kyle Amor
17 Agnatius Paasi
7 Lewis Dodd
18 Jake Wingfield

Huddersfield Giants Line up

1Lee Gaskell
2Jermaine McGillvary
3Chris McQueen
4Sam Wood
5Darnell McIntosh
6Jack Cogger
7Aidan Sezer
8Jack Ashworth
9James Cunningham
10James Gavet
11Ken Edwards
12Luke Yates
13Josh Jones
14Matty English
15Adam O'Brien
16Michael Lawrence
17Oliver Wilson

Last updated 22 Apr 21 23:57:36

James Bentley will make his 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣th career appearance tonight! Good luck Bentos!

Head over to our homepage and social media accounts for all the reaction!

80'

FT: 🔔 GIANTS 10-18 SAINTS 🔴⚪

A tough night, but Saints get the job done as we make it four wins from four!

#COYS

79'

Bentley tries to break through three Giants defenders on this near side, but he is forced in touch.

🔔 GIANTS 10-18 SAINTS 🔴⚪

76'

Naiqama takes out McIntosh in the air and the Giants will have a penalty in their own half. Four minutes to go…

🔔 GIANTS 10-18 SAINTS 🔴⚪

73'
Goal
Aidan Sezer for Huddersfield Giants

Sezer converts from out wide.

🔔 GIANTS 10-18 SAINTS 🔴⚪

72'
Try
Jermaine McGillvary for Huddersfield Giants

The Giants take advantage as McGillvary goes over in the corner.

🔔 GIANTS 8-18 SAINTS 🔴⚪

😀 @lomax_1990 goes over!

📸 @plattyphoto

71'

Bentley knocks on in his own half and the Giants will come forward with less than 10 minutes to go…

🔔 GIANTS 4-18 SAINTS 🔴⚪

65'
Goal
Lachlan Coote for Saints

Cooooote adds the extras!

🔔 GIANTS 4-18 SAINTS 🔴⚪

64'
Try
Jonny Lomax for Saints

Jonnyyyy! Get in! Lewis Dodd is straight into the action and his quick work at dummy half finds Lomax with a short ball and he powers over!

🔔 GIANTS 4-16 SAINTS 🔴⚪

Sione surging forward!

📸 @plattyphoto

🔔 GIANTS 4-12 SAINTS 🔴⚪

61'

Lewis Dodd and LMS are on for Roby and Paasi!

🔔 GIANTS 4-12 SAINTS 🔴⚪

55'

Wingfield has taken a bang on the head so Big Al is back on. Mark Percival is also sensibly taken off for a breather as he edges his way back to full fitness with Mata’utia now in the centre.

🔔 GIANTS 4-12 SAINTS 🔴⚪

51'

The Saints defend it well and relieve the early Giants pressure. Come on boys!

🔔 GIANTS 4-12 SAINTS 🔴⚪

49'

Coote’s restart goes out on the full and the Giants will come again…

🔔 GIANTS 4-12 SAINTS 🔴⚪

48'

Sezer misses the two and our lead is 8…

🔔 GIANTS 4-12 SAINTS 🔴⚪

47'
Try
Chris McQueen for Huddersfield Giants

The Giants get back-to-back sets and make it count as Sezer finds McQueen who goes over.

🔔 GIANTS 4-12 SAINTS 🔴⚪

44'

Giants have an early chance after Cogger kicks 40-20. Time to defend…

🔔 GIANTS 0-12 SAINTS 🔴⚪

41'

We are back underway in the second half! COYS! 🔴⚪

🔔 GIANTS 0-12 SAINTS 🔴⚪

40'

HT: 🔔 GIANTS 0-12 SAINTS 🔴⚪

We lead at the break after tries from Theo Fages and the returning Mark Percival!

38'
Goal
Lachlan Coote for Saints

Coooooote nails the conversion from right of the sticks!

🔔 GIANTS 0-12 SAINTS 🔴⚪

37'
Try
Mark Percival for Saints

THE PRINCEEEEE! @markpercival22 on his return latches onto a ball from Lomax to break through a gap in the Giants defence to score! Get in!

🔔 GIANTS 0-10 SAINTS 🔴⚪

Can this man provide some magic?

📸 @plattyphoto

🔔 GIANTS 0-6 SAINTS 🔴⚪

36'

Saints continue to pile on the pressure as Fages neat grubber is grounded in his in-goal by McGillvary and we will come again…

🔔 GIANTS 0-6 SAINTS 🔴⚪

31'

Wingfield is straight into the action with a drive. The ball finds its way to Fages who darts towards the line before offloading on the ground to Kyle Amor but he is held up on the line!

🔔 GIANTS 0-6 SAINTS 🔴⚪

30'

Big Al is off and young Jake Wingfield comes on in his place!

🔔 GIANTS 0-6 SAINTS 🔴⚪

28'

Iggy Paasi is now on as LMS takes a breather. We have the ball on half way, but can we extend our lead?

🔔 GIANTS 0-6 SAINTS 🔴⚪

26'

Kyle Amor is on for Sione Mata’utia…Go get em, Marra!

🔔 GIANTS 0-6 SAINTS 🔴⚪

25'

Giants come forward and kick to the corner. McGillvary palms it back, but Big Al is there to pick up the loose ball and now we have it!

🔔 GIANTS 0-6 SAINTS 🔴⚪

Some BIG hits going in!

📸 @plattyphoto

🔔 GIANTS 0-6 SAINTS 🔴⚪

Its a scrappy game at present with both sides losing possession. Saints have it back before we win a penalty!

🔔 GIANTS 0-6 SAINTS 🔴⚪

Saints continue to come forward as Fages’ high kick is well chased by Mark Percival, but the Giants win a set restart before a penalty. Former Saint Jack Ashworth leaves the field..

🔔 GIANTS 0-6 SAINTS 🔴⚪

Theoooo goes over for the opening score of the game!

5'
Goal
Lachlan Coote for Saints

Coooooote is back on kicking duties tonight in the absence of Tommy Makinson and he makes no mistake as he adds the two!

🔔 GIANTS 0-6 SAINTS 🔴⚪

4'
Try
Theo Fages for Saints

WHAT A START! A high kick is clutched out of the air by that man Jack Welsby who does brilliantly to offload to the supporting Theo Fages and he goes over!

🔔 GIANTS 0-4 SAINTS 🔴⚪

1'

Referee Robert Hicks blows his whistle and we are off and underway at the John Smith’s Stadium! COYS!

🔔 GIANTS 0-0 SAINTS 🔴⚪

#COYS

A new look for Iggy! Kick off is next…

Sione is back!

The boys are out for their warm ups!

Former Saint Jack Ashworth starts for Huddersfield! Kick off is at 7:45pm…

James Bentley will make his 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣th career appearance tonight! Good luck Bentos!

Head over to our social media accounts to hear from the boss who explains his team selection!

Mark Percival is back! This is how we line up this evening…

Head over to our homepage and have a read of our match preview story which has everything from coach and player previews to tonight’s referee! Team news will be with you at approx 6:15pm….

The pitch is in great condition!

Welcome to a sunny John Smith’s Stadium in Huddersfield as Saints face the Giants with kick off at 7:45pm live on Sky Sports Arena!