Heroic show can spur play-off bid

Jul 14 2003 By Chris Roberts, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Giants 30 - 24 Rhinos. LIFE just keeps on getting better and better for coach Tony Smith and his Huddersfield heroes.

In a frustrating start to the second period, Roarty (holding down) and Furner (illegal tackle) both found themselves harshly sent to the sin-bin within the opening three minutes.

But there could be no disputing a yellow card two minutes later when Danny Ward obstructed Bloem as he was about to collect a pass from O'Doherty in a strong attacking position, although Matt Diskin was understandably annoyed that he was sent for the 10-minute breather in a classic case of mistake identity!

Such matters certainly didn't worry McNamara as he added the penalty.

However, it was Leeds who were next to strike as Danny McGuire cut through to score a fine solo converted score to make it 18-12.

That only seemed to galvanise the Giants and in the 63rd minute the lead was up to 12 points as Costin and Julian Bailey combined magnificently on the run-around for Costin to race over near the corner and then add a magnificent conversion.

It may have been 24-12, but the game was still far from over.

The excitement had only just begun!

MATCH FACTS

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

Rhinos: Connolly, Calderwood, Walker, McKenna, Cummins, Sinfield, Burrow, Ward, Diskin, McDermott, Poching, Adamson, Furner; McGuire, Feather, McDonald, Buchanan

KEY MAN

STANLEY GENE or Brandon Costin, take your pick. In the end, Gene was handed the man-of-the-match award by Sky for his thrilling two-try display, although Costin also scored twice, the second of which sealed the victory in the 79th minute.

KEY MOMENT

BRANDON Costin's second try and Steve McNamara's conversion restored the Giants' six-point lead with one minute remaining, giving leaders Leeds no time to level the scores for a second time.

KEY STATS

Huddersfield. Tries: Gene (1min & 27mins), Costin (63mins & 79mins). Goals: Costin 2 from 3, McNamara 5 from 5.

Sin-binning: Roarty (holding down, 42mins).

Leeds. Tries: Sinfield (22mins), McGuire (49mins), McDonald (66mins), Furner (75mins). Goals: Sinfield 4 from 4.

Sin-binnings: Furner (illegal tackle, 43mins), Diskin (obstruction, 45mins)

Half-time: 16-6.

Referee: Russell Smith (Castleford).

Attendance: 6,330.

Scrums won: Huddersfield 8, Leeds 5.

Penalties conceded: Huddersfield 10, Leeds 9.