Late rally to no avail

May 31 2003 By Chris Roberts, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Castleford Tigers 32 - 18 Huddersfield Giants. No holding high-speed Cas with blistering opener punishing crucial errors

A FINAL scoreline of 32-18 suggests the Giants were always in slight contention against in-form Castleford Tigers last night.

In reality, however, it couldn't have been much further from the truth.

This was a scoreline that flattered the Giants, who were clearly second best until the final quarter when they raced in for two tries to nil to keep the final margin respectable.

That late rally proved the Giants are not lacking in spirit and character - a factor also underlined by Hefin O'Hare's brilliant tackle to deny Wayne Bartrim a certain try with five minutes remaining and when the game had gone well beyond his side's reach.

Yet it was the events of the first hour that caused the greatest concern.

Castleford were superior in every department - on this showing it's not surprising they are fourth on the Super League ladder - and full value for the 32-6 lead they had established by the 58th minute.

But the Tigers also have the Giants to thank for making their life so much easier.

On several occasions in the opening period Huddersfield worked themselves into promising positions and then produced unforced errors at the worst possible times.

And other mistakes were made in the Giants' half from which Castleford took full advantage to score.

Such a scenario produced an inevitable conclusion.