Difference in class!

Feb 1 2003 By Chris Roberts, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

By half-time, however, the picture had changed as the Giants paid a heavy price for commiting basic errors.

First, Matthew Whittaker allowed a kick to his corner to bounce and within seconds Matt Diskin had darted over.

And then Turner's forced pass in his own 22 failed to find a teammate and Leeds picked up the pieces and sent McKenna crashing through the tackles on his way to the line.

Furner's conversions made it 18-6 at the break.

It wasn't until the 58th minute that the visitors extended their lead with a try from Francis Cummins.

But the Giants' response was almost immediate as Turner struck for a nice testimonial try three minutes later.

It was teammate Paul March who made it possible, though, twice kicking ahead for Turner to pounce.

At 24-10, Huddersfield were back in the frame - until three tries in the final 12 minutes sealed their fate.

Dunemann, Richard Mathers and Willie Poching all crossed for scores - thanks on all three occasions to the home side's indiscretions - to fuel a disappointing conclusion for the Giants.

MATCH FACTS

Huddersfield Giants Cooper; O'Hare, Calland, Bailey, Whittaker; Costin, March; Wittenberg, Turner, Gannon, Crabtree, Bloem, O'Doherty. Subs (all used): Fleary, White, Colella, Slicker, Grayshon, Bridge.

Tries - Calland (16mins), Turner (61mins).

Goals - Costin 1 from 2.

Leeds Rhinos - Connolly; Mathers, McKenna, Kirk, Cummins; Dunemann, Burrow; Bailey, Diskin, McDonald, Adamson, Furner, Sinfield. Subs (all used): Poching, Ward, McGuire, Feather, Lupton, Jones-Buchanan, Dowes, Netherton

Tries - Bailey (9mins), Diskin (16mins), McKenna (29mins), Cummins (58mins), Dunemann (68mins), Mathers (73mins), Poching (78mins)

Goals - Furner 3 from 4, McGuire 3 from 3.

Half-time - 6-18.

Referee - Ian Smith (Oldham).

Attendance - 3,046.

Scrums won - Huddersfield 7, Leeds 9.

Penalties conceded - Huddersfield 7, Leeds 7.

Next Giants match - Away to Hunslet Hawks in the Powergen Challenge Cup fourth round next Sunday (3.30).