Giants grind out hard-earned win

Apr 7 2003 By Chris Roberts, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

And such was the nature of this contest, with both sides intent on nullifying each other's threat and Mirfield referee Richard Silverwood doing either side few favours, that the outcome was finally settled by a try that has caused controversy.

It was scored by Alex Wilkinson (not Jamie Bloem as widely reported) in the scrappiest of fashion, with the ball eventually reaching the on-loan winger after unlucky defender Jon Wells had knocked it into the in-goal area and straight into Wilkinson's grasp.

There was no disputing that the intervention from Wells had knocked it towards the Wakefield tryline.

But Trinity's grievance was that Darren Turner's vital final pass was forward.

It's a claim vehemently denied by the attacking Giants' players, but hotly disputed by Wakefield coach Shane McNally, who blasted after the contest: "That last pass was definitely forward."

Whoever was right, it couldn't alter the outcome of a contest that was generally of poor quality but produced a nail-biting finish.

And in the opening 40 minutes, Wakefield looked the far more likely victors.

Although former Trinity man Steve McNamara gave the Giants the lead with a seventh-minute penalty and centre Julian Bailey embarked on an encouraging half-break minutes later, Wakefield began to get on top.

By the 11th minute the scores were level as Ian Knott banged over his first penalty and seven minutes later he repeated the act to give his side the lead for the first time.

But better was to come for his side in the 21st minute.