Giants back in hunt for top-six placing

Jul 28 2003 By Alec Ramsden, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Giants 30 - 14 Hull FC. McNamara inspired but teamwork the key.

The Giants are back on the winning track.

And there were few detours from the straight and narrow and certainly no dangerous "U" turns as Tony Smith's heroes comprehensively, clinically and justifiably sent fourth-placed Hull tumbling to defeat.

There was just one spell of uncertainty in a thoroughly entertaining, high-speed contest. That came midway through the second half when slack marking allowed Hull in for a couple of tries.

But the Giants pulled themselves together defensively and buckled down to the task of notching up another couple of points in their quest for a top six spot.

Hull coach Shaun McRae could have pointed to the fact that eight probable players were out through injury, but he was generous in defeat.

"We paid the price for our first half display when we were flat and ordinary. We were hit by a couple of knockout punches and never really recovered," he said.

"We knew the Giants were going to be very difficult to beat and there was no way we were going to win. Huddersfield came out with a really positive attitude. It was their third game in 10 days and they did superbly well."

Teamwork was the key which unlocked the door to success.

Handling was swift and sure and a completion rate of tackles of 95% was almost perfect. Defensively and offensively there was understanding and innovative plays came off.

But there were also some superb individual performances. Both hooker Darren Turner and stand-off and ex-Hull star Stanley Gene, who missed the midweek defeat against London Broncos, were pronounced fit, and the first half certainly belonged to the Papuan blockbuster.