Magnificent masterclass

Aug 19 2002 By Chris Roberts, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Giants 64 - 4 Batley Bulldogs. ALL the qualities that have been on show throughout this magnificent season once again came together as the record-breaking Giants ripped the heart and soul out of another set of outclassed opponents to claim the Northern Ford Premiership minor championship crown.

Huddersfield were clinical and breathtaking on attack as they smashed the 1,000 League points mark for the campaign, while in defence they were again as solid as a rock.

But in a season when they have achieved so much as a team, the Giants also boasted the individual players capable of making all the difference in the world.

And for a second successive week, Steve McNamara should take a bow.

The Giants' assistant player coach again turned back the clock to produce a midfield masterclass that left Batley mesmerised and put the Giants on the road to a record-breaking 24th consecutive victory.

Bulldogs coach Paul Storey admitted after the contest that a major objective for his side was to stop McNamara and the obvious threat he could cause.

For the opening 20 minutes, the plan worked a treat.

Batley were arguably the better team, restricting the Giants to one highly fortuitous try to Ben Cooper, who gathered Chris Thorman's attempted 40-20 and gratefully scampered over in the 11th minute.

McNamara made his opening contribution by adding on the extras, but it wasn't until the 21st minute that he finally came into his own.

Having spent the opening quarter right on top of the former Great Britain international, the Batley defence for once held off their man.