Batley Bulldogs 12 Giants 70

Jan 28 2008 by Chris Roberts, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

HUDDERSFIELD Giants wrapped up an excellent pre-season campaign with a 12-try triumph over National League Batley Bulldogs.

But head coach Jon Sharp now faces an anxious wait over the fitness of two key players.

Rod Jensen and Luke Robinson were both taken off the field in the first 15 minutes as the visitors backed up earlier trial triumphs over Hull and Castleford.

While Sharp is confident Robinson will be back to full fitness for the Super League opener at home to Leeds Rhinos on February 10, there is a question mark over Jensen.

He was today having an X-ray to assess the full extent of an injury to his lower right leg, with Sharp keeping his fingers crossed the news is positive.

Already without Great Britain wingers Martin Aspinwall and David Hodgson (both knee injuries) for the opening months of the 2008 season, Sharp doesn’t want another of his quick men on the sidelines for any length of time.

“I was really pleased with the way we played yesterday,” said Sharp.

“But the injuries, particularly Rod’s, have overshadowed things a bit.

“Luke picked up an ankle knock early on, and to take him off was very much a precautionary measure.

“He wanted to go back onto the field later, but there was no real point. All being well he’ll be fine for Leeds.

“But there’s a lot more concern over Rod at this stage.

“The lower part of his leg is very sore, and so he’s going straight for an X-ray today.

“Hopefully, he’ll be fine and will also feature in the opening game.

“He’s had a great pre-season, and with our two Great Britain wingers injured he was doing a fantastic job as cover.

“It’s now just a case of sitting tight and waiting.”

By the time Jensen had left the field after eight minutes, the Giants had already opened up a 12-0 advantage.

Inside five minutes, Stephen Wild had strolled over for the opener before Jensen squeezed in at the corner and picked up his injury in the process.

Chris Thorman banged over the goals to set the visitors on their way.

The loss of Robinson in the 14th minute did little to knock the Giants out of their stride, with Thorman moving to scrum half and crowning a top attacking display with a hat trick of tries, as well as 11 goals, to finish with a 34-point haul.

And it was Thorman who was next to strike down the famous Mount Pleasant slope after 22 minutes.

Leroy Cudjoe then raced over for two long-range efforts in close succession, and by half-time the Giants were already out of sight at 30-0.

But all credit to the Bulldogs.

In the second half, they grabbed two cracking tries to reduce the deficit to 34-12 after 53 minutes with tries from former Giants Academy scrum half Paul Mennell and Kevin King and two Francis Maloney goals.

Sandwiched between those scores was a try for Kevin Brown, who in the final quarter increasingly found holes in the Batley defence.

With Brown and Thorman pulling the strings, Thorman completed his hat trick, Brown doubled his tally and Darrell Griffin, Paul Whatuira and Keith Mason all crossed the tryline to complete a dominant triumph.

Players

Batley: Lingard; Stokes, King, Maun, Fagborun; Maloney, Mennell; Henderson, Lythe, Stenchion, Farrell, Jowett, Lindsay. Subs: Boothroyd, Priestley, Crouthers, Laurie, Smith, Brook, Simpson, Childs.

Tries: Mennell (45), King (53).

Goals: Maloney 2 from 2.

Huddersfield: Thorman; Elford, Wild, Whatuira, Jensen; Brown, Robinson; Griffin, Hudson, Skandalis, Snitch, Lolesi, Raleigh. Subs: Crabtree, Gatis, Jackson, Mason, Cudjoe, Lawrence.

Tries: Wild (5), Jensen (8), Thorman (22, 63 & 70), Cudjoe (24 & 26), Brown (49 & 79), Griffin (67), Whatuira (73), Mason (76).

Goals: Thorman 11 from 12.

Referee: Richard Silverwood (Mirfield).