Giants report: Huddersfield Giants 30 Celtic Crusaders 10

Apr 11 2009 by Chris Roberts, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

IT was far from being a vintage Huddersfield Giants’ display.

But this stuttering, unconvincing performance was still more than good enough to see off plucky strugglers Celtic Crusaders and chalk up a sixth success from eight starts to remain in Super League’s top three.

With coach Nathan Brown’s men such red-hot favourites to triumph, they were always on something of a hiding to nothing.

And with the Crusaders producing a highly creditable first-half defensive display it had all the makings of an evening of real frustration.

In fact, visiting coach John Dixon admitted the score at the interval could have been absolutely anything against his side.

Yet as it was, the Giants were restricted to just a 12-0 interval lead after initially setting about their task in a manner which suggested they might be capable of rattling up a cricket score.

Within minutes they had made their intentions clear, forcing Celtic to drop out from under their own posts.

Pressure was exerted from that point and Martin Aspinwall was held up over the line moments later.

But within six minutes the Giants had hit the front as good approach work enabled stand-off Kevin Brown to feed winger David Hodgson to score in the corner and Brett Hodgson to add the touchline conversion.

Despite continuing to dominate, with the Crusaders restricted to just one foray inside Giants territory on the back of a Huddersfield error, the home side were unable to extend their lead until 19 minutes later.

Both Brown and Danny Kirmond had just been denied by last-ditch tackles before Brown kicked through on the last play of a set of six for David Hodgson to touch down just before ball ran dead.

Again Brett Hodgson landed the goal from the touchline to put the home side in complete control.