Giants rue missed first-half chances

Apr 22 2003 By Chris Roberts, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A second Orr penalty nudged the visitors further ahead in the 72nd minute before Francis Maloney crucially gave his side a seven-point advantage with a drop goal two minutes later.

And with the Giants tiring by the second, Andy Lynch was given the benefit of the doubt by the officials as he appeared to bounce the ball in the act of scoring in the closing moments.

A frustrating end to what, overall, was a frustrating contest.

MATCH FACTS

KEY MAN: Jamie Bloem

THE South African captain was a tower of strength from start to finish. He led the way in defence and showed tremendous power and determination to crash through a heap of bodies to score his 43rd-minute try which gave the Giants a 16-14 advantage.

KEY MOMENT:

FRANCIS Maloney's drop goal with just five minutes remaining gave Castleford a seven-point lead and took the game beyond the Giants. Andy Lynch's try two minutes later merely rubbed salt into the wounds and broke the home side's hearts.

KEY STATS:

Huddersfield scorers. Tries: Costin (24mins), O'Hare (26mins), Bloem (43mins). Goals: McNamara 1 from 1, Costin 1 from 3.

Sin-binning: Bailey (obstruction, 16mins).

Castleford scorers. Tries: Smith (17mins & 35mins), Hudson (58mins), Lynch (77mins). Goals: Orr 6 from 6. Drop goal: Maloney.

Half-time: 12-14.

Referee: Robert Connolly (Wigan).

Attendance: 5,139.

Scrums won: Huddersfield 6, Castleford 5.

Penalties conceded: Huddersfield 10, Castleford 9.