Giants fail to deliver

Sep 13 2003 By Chris Roberts, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Huddersfield Giants 12 - 25 Warrington Wolves. Wolves prove far too strong as Huddersfield fall foul of referee

The 26th-minute mass brawl briefly threaten to break the Wolves' momentum, but when Reilly was sent to the bin Appo again hit the target.

The game was already slipping away from the Giants, but four minutes before the break the home side were handed a lifeline.

A solid double tackle from March and O'Hare forced Dean Gaskell to spill the ball, and seconds later Jarrod O'Doherty showed amazing strength to crashe over from close range and through a crowd of bodies.

Steve McNamara added the extras to open the Giants account, but then slipped as he attempted a penalty attempt on the stroke of half time. It was that sort of evening.

The second half brought little change in fortunes, with the Giants continuing to concede penalties and the reliable boot of Appo making them pay with three more successes.

Nathan Wood was also on hand to bang over a drop goal, and with five minutes remaining the visitors' lead had been extended to 23-6.

But the Giants were determined not to throw in the towel.

After O'Hare had been held up over the line, Huddersfield worked the position from the scrum for McNamara to kick-through and for Jamie Bloem to beat Marcus St Hilaire to the vital touch for a second Giants converted try.

How ironic it was, therefore, that all 12 of the Giants points in the last home game were scored by the three players who are departing at the end of the season!

Unfortunately, the dominant Wolves had the final say as Cardiss landed a last-minute penalty.

Yet even though the final McAlpine act proved desperately disappointing, this home campaign was still special.