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.

His rampaging runs frequently punched holes in the Hull defence, which, based on points against, was the strongest in Super League, but it was another former Hull player, veteran forward Steve McNamara, who stamped his personal mark on the game. He was magnificent all-round.

McNamara replaced Jamie Bloem in the 13th minute and put the first points on the board with a penalty goal in the 22nd minute. And after that he showed most of his tricks of the Rugby League trade.

His reading of the game was splendid, he was inspirational and creative. He showed an eye for an opening and he missed only one shot at goal. There could be no arguments about his man of the match award.

Paul Reilly added to his reputation as one of the best all-round full backs in Super League and Darren Fleary was a captain who led from the front and by personal example. His fellow forwards, including winger Matthew Whitaker, who was drafted into the second row, gave him sound support.

Behind Paul March was his usual workaholic self, both Julian Bailey and Ben Cooper were threats in the centre and Brandon Costin, with heavy thigh strapping, came up with his customary try at a crucial stage of the game.

Hull almost started the scoring in the second minute when speedster wingman Colin Best - level with Costin at the top of the try-scoring list with 18 touchdowns - was held up over the line and there was a prolonged spell in which both sides probed, but could not find a way through. Gene punched away at the Hull defence and Reilly made a couple of breaks before Gene was tackled high and McNamara slotted over the penalty.

The Giants then piled on the pressure and after Gene had been held just short, Reilly took the ball on the burst to crash over for his fifth try of the season. McNamara slotted over the goal and with a magnificent touch-line kick also added the points to a try by Marcus St Hilaire in the corner. The touchdown was created by McNamara who with a superb long pass direct to the winger left St Hilaire with a straight dash to the line.

At half time it was 14-0 to the Giants and they appeared to be cruising to victory, but with less than two minutes of the second half on the clock they were brought back to reality with a shock try when slack defence let in Garreth Carvell for a Hull try.

More effort was needed if victory was to be assured and it came as the Giants stepped up their efforts. Flying winger Hefin O'Hare was inches away from touching down from a crafty Costin chip and then came another piece of McNamara magic. A swerve and sidestep took him clear down the middle and March, on a diagonal run, charged through to the line. Reliable McNamara made no mistake in adding the extra points.

Then it was Fleary's turn to shine. A break down the middle was supported by O'Hare who made more ground and Fleary was at his shoulder to gallop the last 15 metres to the line and notch up his second try of the season. the kick was a formality for McNamara.