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

That came after McNamara's solid hit on Damian Gibson forced the ball loose 30 metres from the Castleford line.

The ever-alert March reacted first, kicked ahead and beat the chasing defenders to touch down.

In the closing moments Reilly was denied a try when Costin was adjudged to have lost the ball in the tackle in the build-up.

Had that been awarded the final scoreline would obviously have been closer. But it would not have hidden the fact that on the night, the Giants were second best.

MATCH FACTS

KEY MAN:

GIANTS hooker Paul March backed up his Opta Team of the Week performance against Widnes last week with another wholehearted display at The Jungle. His efforts earned him a well-deserved try.

KEY MOMENT:

CASTLEFORD captain Danny Orr's try three minutes before the break gave the Tigers a 12-point interval lead and acted as the springboard for their stunning start to the second half.

KEY STATS:

Giants Stats: Reilly, O'Hare, Cooper, Bailey, St Hilaire, Costin, Gene, Fleary, March, Gannon,

Castleford Tigers: Saxton, Pryce, Gibson, Eager, Rogers, Orr, Healey, Sykes, Hudson, Lynch, Smith, Johnson, Bartrim. Substitutes: Godwin, Hepworth, Blakeway, Sampson.

Castleford Tigers. Tries: Eagar (4mins &11mins), Orr (37mins), Rogers (46mins), Bartrim (53mins), Johnson (58mins). Goals: Bartrim 4 from 7.

Huddersfield Giants. Tries: Gene (34mins), Bailey (67mins), March (70mins). Goals: McNamara 3 from 3.

Half-time: 18-6.

Referee: Peter Taberner (Wigan).

Attendance: 5,682.

Scrums won: Tigers 5, Giants 6.

Penalties conceded: Tigers 7, Giants 11.

Pictures © Graham Lynch