Painful opener ends dreams of a victory

May 12 2003 By Chris Roberts, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Hull 34 - 6 Giants. Giants faily to make tackles count.

It was almost unbearable.

Fortunately, however, it was at this stage that the Giants finally started to show signs of life.

Prompted by the introduction of substitute Eorl Crabtree, who showed far more aggression than ever before and helped breathe fire into the challenge, the visitors tightened up.

They were also helped in no small measure by Mr Laughton, who by the break had managed to even up the penalty count at 8-7 to Hull!

No doubt, such actions did play a part as the home side were restricted to one further first-half try, courtesy of Horne.

At 24-0 down there was no way back for the Giants, but they did manage to produce a spirited second-half show, which they will be hoping to take into next Sunday's home clash against Bradford Bulls.

For the opening 15 minutes they were by far the most dominant force.

Within five minutes of the restart, Brandon Costin's kick-through forced Hull into dropping out from under their posts.

Then three minutes later Crabtree produced the hit of the game to force Smith to spill the ball inside the Giants 20.

And from the scrum, Marcus St Hilaire was released by Costin deep inside his own half and only a great cover tackle from Barnett saved the day for Hull.