Unconvincing but Giants win

Aug 5 2002 By Chris Roberts, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

In the 63rd minute Danny Fearon, who made one Super League appearance for the Giants last season, created the gap for James Rushforth to go charging over the line.

Ashton goaled to make it 28-10, and the home side had been given a new lease of life.

Only a great tackle by Hefin O'Hare scuppered Ashton's chances of adding a try shortly after, and then Max Tomlinson's superb break from deep petered out after he took the wrong option at the crucial stage.

Roberts eventually settled any late nerves with a 77th-minute try to complete the first hat trick of his career.

But, that apart, this was a far from memorable performance.

Hopefully, a return to the McAlpine to face Hull KR next Sunday will signal a return of the good times.

MATCH FACTS

Keighley Cougars Rushforth; Tomlinson, Steel, Foster, Fairbank; Ashton, Firth (Mitchell 22mins); Stephenson (Kelly 30mins, Ekis 60mins), Hartley, Ekis (Stephenson 52mins), Patterson (Fearon 33mins), Durham, Wilkes (Patterson (52mins).

Try - Rushforth (63mins).

Goals - Ashton 3 from 4.

Huddersfield Giants - Reilly; O'Hare, Crabtree, Cooper, Langley; Hallas, Gene (McNamara 16mins); Slicker (Molyneux 57mins), March, Cruckshank (Whittaker 50mins), Walker (Wittenberg 31mins), Roberts, Atkins (Walker 60mins, Cruckshank 73mins).

Tries - Reilly (5mins & 44mins), March (24mins), Roberts (47mins, 60mins & 77mins).

Goals - McNamara 4 from 5, Roberts 1 from 1.

Half-time - 4-12.

Referee - Mike Dawber (Wigan).

Attendance - 1,183.

Scrums won - Keighley 12, Huddersfield 7.

Penalties conceded - Keighley 8, Huddersfield 5.

Top Huddersfield tacklers - March 37, Atkins 30, Cruckshank 26, Crabtree 24, Cooper 21.

Next Huddersfield match - Home to Hull KR on Sunday (3.00).