Match report: Giants 40 Celtic Crusaders 16
May 4 2009 by Chris Roberts, Huddersfield Daily Examiner
A magnificent 50m burst from Paul Jackson straight from the restart almost resulted in a fifth Giants’ score, but at 22-0 at the break they were already almost out of sight.
The Crusaders started the second half in spirited fashion, with Paul Ballard denied by the video referee within three minutes of the restart.
But after Brett Hodgson also suffered the same fate nine minutes later, the Giants stepped up a gear.
In the 56th minute, Robinson’s charge to the line was brought to an abrupt end by a high shot, and from the quick tap, recalled prop Michael Korkidas crashed over from close range.
Then three minutes later Simon Finnigan was halted just short of the line, but Lunt was quickly in at acting half-back and sold an outrageous dummy to score the softest of tries under the posts.
The reliable Hodgson again added the goals and at 34-0 it seemed a case of ‘how many?’ for the men from West Yorkshire.
But all credit to the Crusaders for waving the white flag as they outscored the Giants three tries to one in the final 16 minutes.
Chris Beasley opened his side’s account after 64 minutes after good work from Jordan James and Damien Quinn converted.
Normal service appeared to have been resumed minutes later when Robinson’s short pass was collected by the supporting Finnigan to charge over for Hodgson to add his sixth and final goal from seven attempts.
But in the final seven minutes Anthony Blackwood and David Tangata-Toa added to the Crusaders’ tally to give the Welsh something to shout about.
At the same time, it was a painful conclusion for the Giants, and particularly for the unfortunate Kevin Brown, who was forced off the field in the closing moment after being hit accidentally around the head by teammate Paul Whatuira
Luckily for Brown, he will soon live to fight another day, as will Huddersfield, who will now be hoping their Super League momentum is slowly beginning to return.
