Hull 40, Huddersfield Giants 12

Jul 5 2004 By The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Furthermore, Jon Grayshon (ankle) and Iain Morrison (sternum) may also have figured if question marks hadn't remained over their fitness.

Yet even without so many players - and centre Ben Cooper is, of course, still out on loan at Leigh - there were times during the Hull contest when they gave their hosts a genuine run for their money.

After eight minutes, they held a deserved 4-0 lead and then in the 58th minute Jim Gannon's first try of the season reduced the deficit to 24-12 and it was game on.

Yet when it came to the crunch, the Giants lacked the quality and composure of Hull and the final outcome was inevitable.

While the Giants had midfield generals of the calibre of Costin and March watching from the sidelines, the home side had the luxury of letting the likes of Richard Horne, Paul Cooke, Richard Swain and Jason Smith take it in turns to dictate the play.

An embarrassment of riches or what!

And how much Sharp would have loved to have been in such a privileged position.

But he should still take heart from the way his depleted side were prepared to battle against the odds.

In the first half Hull produced some outstanding attacking play, underlining why they had already beaten Salford 82-6 and Widnes 70-4 at the KC this season.

Yet the Giants defence proved a tougher nut to crack, with Paul Reilly (twice), Stanley Gene and Chris Nero all pulling off try-scoring tackles.