Super show sinks rivals

Mar 25 2002 By Chris Roberts, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Thorman then slotted over a drop goal with 11 minutes remaining.

That was the final straw for frustrated second-rower Gareth Price who was sent off for punching Hallas in the 74th minute.

And in what had now become an ill-tempered contest, Matt Walker and former Giants teammate Paul Rowley were sin-binned for fighting to make it 12 players against 11 for the final five minutes.

McNamara slotted over another penalty moments later before Gene's dazzling touchline break gave Hallas a run to the line.

McNamara added his sixth and final goal and the most satisfying and impressive victory of the season was complete.

MATCH FACTS

Leigh Centurions McCully; Bretherton (Swann 59mins), Anderson, Roper, Andrews; Turley, Swann (Hamilton 54mins); Matautia (Bradbury 26mins, Price 70mins), Rowley, Price (Knox 26mins, Matautia 67mins), Isherwood, Bristow.

Try - Baldwin (32mins).

Sin-binnings - Turley (holding down, 58mins), Rowley (fighting, 75mins).

Dismissal - Price (74mins, punching).

Huddersfield Giants - Cooper; O'Hare, Crabtree, Hallas, Whittaker (Langley 51mins); Gene, Thorman; Wittenberg (Molyneux 23mins, bb, March 53mins), Turner (Walker 71mins), Walker (Cruckshank 22mins, Walker 40mins, Cruckshank (51mins, bb), Atkins, Roberts (Whittaker 67mins), McNamara.

Tries - Crabtree (11mins & 47mins), Turner (36mins), Thorman (63mins), Hallas (67mins & 78mins).

Goals - McNamara 6 from 10.

Drop goal - Thorman.

Sin-binnings - Cruckshank (holding down, 54mins), Walker (fighting, 75mins).

Half-time - 4-12.

Referee - Russell Smith (Castleford).

Attendance - 4,446.

Scrums won - Leigh 9, Huddersfield 9.

Penalties conceded - Leigh 15, Huddersfield 12.

Top Huddersfield tacklers - Roberts 25, McNamara 24, Gene 21, Turner 19, Crabtree 18.

Next Giants game - Home to Hunslet on Friday.