Inept Giants crash out in Cup shocker

Feb 10 2003 By Chris Roberts, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Hunslet 18 - 14 Giants. EMBARRASSING Huddersfield Giants crashed out of the Challenge Cup at the first attempt - and, boy, did they deserve to go!

But again Hunslet fought back.

Hasty lost the ball attempting to score in the 57th minute, and with the Hawks defence holding out, Liddell wrapped up the contest with a penalty with 10 minutes remaining.

Hunslet were left to savour a fantastic victory, while the Giants were left to face the boos and the prospect of 12 days of soul-searching ahead of the Super League opener at home to Warrington.

And given yesterday's events, that's a very worrying prospect.

MATCH FACTS

HAWKS: Baker, Powell, Higgins, McGibbon, Raynor, Liddell, Hasty, Ibbotson, Naylor, Coyle, Freeman, Fearon, Seal - Subs (all used): Brain, Hawley, Jon Lee Lockwood, Briggs

GIANTS: Cooper, O'Hare, Bailey, Calland, St Hilaire, Costin, White, Slicker, March, Fleary, Crabtree, Gannon, O'Doherty - Subs (all used): Wittenberg, Turner, Whittaker, Morrison

REFEREE: Steve Presley (Castleford).

STAR MAN

This new feature panel has been introduced to highlight the star Giants performer and the contribution he made to a game. Unfortunately, given yesterday's events, it cannot be put to use!

KEY MOMENT

Within 20 seconds of taking to the field, Hunslet substitute Dan Briggs had latched on to one of many exquisite short passes from former Giants second-rower and Challenge Cup man-of-the-match Danny Fearon to give the Hawks a 16-8 lead four minutes before the break. It was a lead the Giants were unable to close.

KEY STATS

Hunslet scorers. Tries: Powell (6mins), Lockwood (33mins), Briggs (36mins). Goals: Liddell 3 from 4.

Huddersfield scorers. Tries: Costin (2mins & 49mins), St Hilaire (25mins). Goals: Costin 1 from 3.

Half-time: 16-8.

Attendance: 1,256.

Scrums won: Hunslet 11, Huddersfield 9.

Penalties conceded: Hunslet 11, Huddersfield 10.

Errors made: Hunslet 9, Huddersfield 13.

Top Giants tacklers: Bailey 30, March 26, O'Doherty 25, Fleary 24.

Top Giants drives: Costin 20, Crabtree 12, Cooper 12, Fleary 11.