Cup of joy for super Giants

May 27 2002 By Chris Roberts, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

So, how fitting it was that Turner should open the scoring after nine minutes.

It was a try that had certainly been coming, with Paul Reilly only denied by an ankle tap by Lynton Stott, and Matthew Whittaker and Ben Cooper close to collecting a Stanley Gene kick-through.

Alex Godfrey had been forced to kick the ball dead to deny the Giants' duo.

But from the drop-out Eorl Crabtree took the ball to the line and Turner collected at acting half-back and scorched down the blindside for a thrilling opener.

Although McNamara failed with the conversion and with a 12th-minute penalty attempt, it was only a matter of time before the lead was extended.

Reilly, Thorman and Whittaker had all come close before Roberts and Hefin O'Hare set up the position for Thorman to bump off Bob Everett and glide through the space created.

McNamara converted to follow up a successful 22nd minute penalty and it was 12-0 after 25 minutes.

Thorman was again at the heart of the next Giants' try five minutes before the break.

From his successful 40-20 kick, the Huddersfield scrum was worked directly to Reilly who raced across the face of the defence and then straightened up to crash over.

McNamara may have slipped as he kicked the conversion, but it still sailed between the sticks.