Giants quickly back in groove

May 13 2002 By Chris Roberts, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

With McNamara converting, a 14-point gap had very quickly developed.

The momentum continued straight from the restart as Gene burst almost effortlessly through the first line of defence, raced clear and drew full-back Gavin Dodd to give Cooper a clear run to the line.

Almost immediately from the restart, Reilly followed Gene's lead by breaking through the first line of cover inside his own half and sprinting away.

Yet this time there was no need to find a supporting colleague as Dodd slipped as he attempted to close Reilly down and the Giants full-back simply strolled over.

McNamara's conversions made it 30-4 and a semi-final spot had already been booked.

That lead was even greater by the 53rd minute as McNamara and Paul March both made valuable ground to enable O'Hare to fend off his marker and power his way over near the corner for McNamara to land an excellent conversion.

It was then, however, that the play became scrappy.

With the likes of Chris Thorman, Dave Atkins and Steve McNamara handed a rest to shake off niggly injuries, the Giants' began to lose some shape.

Referee Taberner, on the other hand, began to lose some concentration, pulling players up for minor offences while allowing more serious misdemeanours to go unpunished.

It was, therefore, hardly surprising that players became frustrated and tempers became frayed.