Match report: Celtic Crusaders 16 - 42 Huddersfield Giants

Sep 7 2009 by Chris Roberts, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

HUDDERSFIELD Giants had little trouble confirming their top-four Super League finish after cruising to a relatively straightforward triumph over struggling Celtic Crusaders.

It proved to be the ideal game for coach Nathan Brown’s men to get their Wembley Challenge Cup final disappointment out of their system as they dominated throughout the contest.

The Crusaders did manage to score a creditable 16 points to the Giants’ 42, but all of those came in the final quarter when the Giants had done their job and wrapped the contest up.

That far-from-convincing finish was clearly a disappointment, especially after the likes of Shaun Lunt, Liam Fulton and Larne Patrick had all worked so hard to open up such a handsome lead in the opening hour.

But with everyone responding so professionally from the events of the previous week and also emerging unscathed, all the key signs do suggest the Giants will start their play-off campaign in just under a fortnight in pretty good shape.

There was, of course, always a feeling inside the Huddersfield camp that they would waste little time getting everything firmly back on track after their Wembley woe – and within four minutes they did just that.

On the visitors’ first meaningful attack they worked the position for Leroy Cudjoe to come into the line from full-back and race away before feeding the supporting David Hodgson to finish off in the corner.

Cudjoe landed an excellent touchline conversion and coach Nathan Brown’s men were 6-0 ahead.

And by half-time, the lead had been increased to 18 points as the Giants underlined their top-four status against their struggling but spirited hosts.

Although the Welshmen did force the Giants to drop-out from under their own posts after 15 minutes, Huddersfield were always in control.

Keith Mason was unlucky to have a try wiped out when referee Steve Ganson judged David Faiumu’s pass was forward in the 17th minute.

But six minutes later it was no surprise when the men from the Galpharm doubled their advantage when Liam Fulton collected 10m out, sold a dummy and had the strength to burst through and finish off for Cudjoe to add his second goal.

Then in the 34th minute, the Giants added try No3 when excellent approach play paved the way for Lunt to feed Larne Patrick to dive over from close range for his first Super League score.

Cudjoe again made no mistake with the conversion, and the writing was already on the wall for the home side.