Classy opening despite the rust

Jan 13 2003 By Chris Roberts, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Giants 50 - 10 Batley. HUDDERSFIELD Giants continued from where they left off last season with another totally dominant display to destroy the brave Batley Bulldogs.

Even though the newly-promoted Super League side looked a little rusty at times, the difference in class between these two teams was as wide as the scoreline suggests.

In fact, had the home side hit the high level of performance they are clearly capable of achieving, then a far greater margin of victory would have been gained.

But these are, of course, still relatively early days for the Giants.

This was, after all, Huddersfield's first competitive work-out of the season, with Darren Turner's testimonial match against Leeds Rhinos still to be played before the Challenge Cup opener on the weekend of February 8 and 9.

Yet the initial signs do look promising, and with more hard work on the training field, there's no reason why a successful Super League season cannot finally be achieved.

This clash against the Bulldogs seemed to suggest that those members of last season's triumphant NFP Grand Final winning side are determined to prove they are now capable Super League performers.

And it was also obvious that all six of the new faces were keen to show that they will be valuable additions to the Giants' top-flight squad.

That was reflected in the fact that Matt Calland, Jim Gannon, Julian Bailey and Brandon Costin all crossed for well-deserved tries, while Jamie Bloem landed three goals from four attempts.

Fellow newcomer Jarrod O'Doherty may not have grabbed a try, but he, too, contributed to what was a very useful exercise, particularly against a Batley side determined to make a big impression ahead of next week's start to their new NFP season.