HUDDERSFIELD Giants sent another clear message to their Super League XVI rivals that they could prove one of the teams to beat in 2011 after storming to the top of the table.

Harlequins went into the contest top of the table and unbeaten with three wins out of three, including last Friday’s magnificent triumph at Leeds Rhinos.

But they were clearly second best to the Giants, who were far more dominant than the 18-10 victory suggested.

Coach Nathan Brown sprung something of a surprise by handing a first Super League start to 19-year-old former Wigan back-row forward Jon Molloy.

He got his chance at the expense of the rested Michael Lawrence, while second-rower Dale Ferguson was given a Giants debut from the bench following his recent move from Wakefield.

But the changes made very little difference to the Giants in the opening stages as they continued from where they left off in last week’s win over Hull FC.

On two occasions in the first six minutes Leroy Cudjoe was denied a potential try by the video referee.

The first time, he was halted

agonisingly short of the line and then he touched down after Jermaine McGillvary was adjudged to have knocked a Kevin Brown kick to the corner forward.

And although Rob Purdham did spill a try-scoring pass from Luke Gale moments later, it was still something of a shock when the Quins took the lead after 16 minutes.

Good play close to the line eventually gave Karl Pryce a walk-in in the corner to underline why the Londoners went into the contest top of the league.