Match Report: Leeds Rhinos 20 Giants 12

Jun 15 2009 By Chris Roberts

IT’S 50 years since Huddersfield last won a League game at Headingley.

But it’s safe to assume that during that time they’ve never come as close to ending that drought as they did in Super League XIV.

Leading 12-0 early in the second half, coach Nathan Brown’s men looked in pole position to secure a historic victory and move back up to second in the Super League table.

And even when Kallum Watkins crossed in the corner to reduce the deficit to six points after 46 minutes, the Giants had more than enough chances to secure that dream Headingley triumph.

In the 50th minute, Martin Aspinwall spilled Jamahl Lolesi’s potential try-scoring pass in the corner.

Then five minutes later, Leeds’ Scott Donald chased down David Hodgson after the winger had intercepted a pass close to his own line.

When Hodgson took the ball, he looked an odds-on scorer, and it was certainly disappointing that he didn’t have the legs to go all the way.

But, unfortunately for the Giants’ No5, Donald was the only player on the field guaranteed to give him a run for his money and as he was the closest to him when Hodgson got the ball, the Australian was able to save the day for his side.

That crucial moment appeared to give the Rhinos just the lift they required and for the remainder of the contest they were by far the more dominant force.

In contrast, the Giants’ challenge faded and the outcome was inevitable.

But even though the final result may have gone against the men from the Galpharm, all 17 players contributed to another solid all-round effort that so nearly brought the ultimate reward.

And in the opening exchanges it was the visitors who made all the running.

After five minutes, Aspinwall was unable to hold on to Kevin Brown’s pass with the tryline begging and three minutes later desperate Rhinos’ defence was required to haul down Shaun Lunt just short of the line.