Match report: Harlequins 18 - 32 Huddersfield Giants

Mar 22 2010 by Chris Roberts, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

LEROY CUDJOE will always see himself as a full-back.

But there’s do denying the 21-year-old is now a top-class Super League winger.

A hat trick against Quins – on the back of two against Bradford and one in the wins at Hull KR and Wakefield – again showed the quality the Newsome Panthers junior possesses, and he just seems to be getting better and better.

His two first-half scores in the capital underlined his awareness to read a play to perfection, judging his run to the corner to collect kicks from Brett Hodgson and Luke Robinson with ease to stroll over.

Then he showed he’s a natural-born finisher close to the line as he squeezed in at the corner from close range, despite some desperate on-rushing cover coming his way.

And the significance of that third try couldn’t be emphasised enough.

Although the Giants dominated much of the opening period to open up a 16-0 lead after 35 minutes, Chad Randall’s try, converted by Danny Orr, on the stroke of half-time gave the London club a major glimmer of hope at the break.

It was vital, therefore, for the visitors to come out strongly and ensure there was no dramatic, and decisive, fightback from Super League’s bottom club, particularly as they had the advantage of the wind and driving rain in the second 40.

But with Cudjoe calming his side’s nerves with his third try three minutes after the restart, normal service had quickly been resumed and by the hour mark, the contest had been wrapped up at 30-6 before Quins’ added two late consolation scores.

Yet given the way Huddersfield had opened up, there was little to suggest Harlequins would make any sort of fist of it whatsoever.

Within three minutes the Giants had hit the front as Lee Gilmour cashed in on Kevin Brown’s delightful teasing chip for Brett Hodgson to land the first of his four goals.

And within a matter of seconds Huddersfield had crossed for their second score as Cudjoe raced on to Brett Hodgson’s superb kick to cross in the corner.

At 10-0 after seven minutes, the signs were looking ominous for the shellshocked hosts.

But, credit to the Quins’ defence who somehow managed to group, holding up David Hodgson, the impressive Darrell Griffin and Shaun Lunt on the tryline before the Giants finally added try No3 after 35 minutes.

David Fauimu’s strong offload just inside his own half sent Robinson racing through the defence.

Although he appeared to have chosen the wrong option by going right, his perfect chip allowed Cudjoe to canter over for his second try.