Thorman goals prove decisive

Mar 11 2002 By Chris Roberts, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Hull KR 2 - Giants 6. GUTSY Huddersfield Giants produced a display of courage and determination to beat both second-placed Hull KR and the elements to extend their lead to four points at the top of the Northern Ford Premiership.

The match may have ended tryless and was played in gale-force winds and torrential rain.

But it still proved to be an enthralling encounter between two sides who were determined not to give an inch.

Three Chris Thorman penalties to one from Dane Dorahy were all that separated the two sides at the end of a highly-charged 80 minutes.

And given the balance of power that was just about right.

Overall, Huddersfield deserved their victory, but were never once given the chance to settle against a side who until yesterday had won 17 of their last 20 League matches.

But, just as crucially, this winproved that the Giants do possess the mental toughness to grind out results when the going gets really hard. It will need to be on show again at Leigh in two weeks' time!

And no-one sets a better example in times like this than Dave Atkins.

The Australian second-rower once again put in a truly monumental performance in the pack.

Almost inevitably, he led the defensive effort and was also an equally willing worker in attack, gaining the crucial yards to slowly break down the Robins' resistance.