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

Yet there was nothing the Giants could do about the Tigers' blistering start.

With Castleford oozing confidence after their 40-2 demolition of Widnes in their last home game and their polished 32-16 win at Warrington last Saturday, they were quickly into their stride.

Within 11 minutes Michael Eagar had twice burst through the Giants' defence for well-worked tries, while Bartrim added one of the conversions and then a 20th-minute penalty to make it 12-0.

At that stage the Giants were on the ropes.

But having weathered the early storm, Huddersfield began to fight back, culminating in their opening try after 24 minutes.

Good work from Brandon Costin and Paul March caused Castleford problems close to their line and Stanley Gene was on hand to stretch out and score by the posts.

Steve McNamara added the extras and the lead was down to six.

Two minutes later the gap looked to have been cut even further when Costin crashed over, only to be penalised for a double movement - much to his obvious disgust.

Having survived that scare Castleford finished the half the stronger.

Great Giants' defence denied Jon Hepworth in the 34th minute.