Generous Giants throw it away!

May 26 2003 By Chris Roberts, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Vikings 42 - 30 Giants. Crucial errors prove the downfall

Busy Giants hooker Paul March and Bailey almost broke clear to put their side back in front, before Costin made certain by scoring in the corner after great work to keep the ball alive.

McNamara's conversion made it 30-24 with 10 minutes remaining, and all the Giants had to do was hold out.

If only!

MATCH FACTS - TEAMS

Giants: Reilly, O'Hare, Bailey, Bloem, St Hilaire, Costin, McNamara, Fleary, March, Gannon, O'Doherty, Crabtree, Gene, Turner, Slicker, Grayshon, Morrison

Vikings: Atcheson, Devlin, Bird, Hughes, Giles, Jules O'Neill, Sheridan, Relf, Millard, Farrell, Hay, McCurrie, Frame, Julian O'Neill, Mills, Cantillon

KEY MAN: PAUL REILLY

THE Giants' fit-again full-back returned to competitive senior action after a nine-month break following a double leg fracture to lead his side on attack. Unfortunately, the gloss was taken off his return by the result and a couple of individuals errors. But he still admitted: "It's great to be back!"

KEY MOMENT:

PAUL REILLY'S decision to attempt to keep the ball alive in his own 20 just after Huddersfield had gone 30-24 ahead with 10 minutes remaining resulted in the ball going to ground and gave Widnes a scrum. The Vikings scored from that set and went on to take the game.

Widnes. Tries: Bird (20mins, 58mins & 79mins), Hughes (27mins & 76mins), Frame (37mins), Sheridan (71mins). Goals: O'Neill 6 from 6.

Huddersfield. Tries: Bailey (2mins), St Hilaire (30mins), Reilly (34mins), Costin (52mins & 68mins). Goals: McNamara 3 from 3, Costin 1 from 2, Bloem 1 from 1.

Half-time: 18-18.

Referee: Steve Ganson (St Helens).

Attendance: 4,946.

Scrums won: Widnes 7, Huddersfield 4.

Penalties conceded: Widnes 4, Huddersfield 6.