Generous Giants throw it away!

May 26 2003 By Chris Roberts, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Vikings 42 - 30 Giants. Crucial errors prove the downfall

To rub salt into Huddersfield's wounds, Deon Bird intercepted Jarrod O'Doherty's pass as his side desperately went in search of the equaliser and raced 75 metres to score.

O'Neill again landed the goal to finish with a six out of six haul, and Widnes were able to celebrate victory by an exceptionally harsh 12-point margin.

It was a defeat that earned sympathy for the Giants over the way they had played, even though they only had themselves to blame.

After their performances in the last two games against Hull and Bradford, this Huddersfield showing was a big improvement.

Instead of conceding early points, the Giants were soon on the scoreboard themselves as Stanley Gene kicked through on the sixth tackle for Julian Bailey to follow up and pounce.

Fit-again Steve McNamara landed an excellent touchline conversion and the visitors were 6-0 ahead within two minutes.

That lead was up to eight as the reliable McNamara banged over a penalty after Reilly was caught by a high shot in the 16th minute.

It was a lead the Giants early work deserved, but two tries in the space of five minutes tipped the balance in the Vikings' favour.

First, Deon Bird finished off a fine sweeping move across the face of the defence and then Adam Hughes followed suit by scoring in the same corner.

However, such was the see-saw nature of the contest that by the 34th minute Huddersfield were back in front.