Match Report: Salford 10 Giants 34

Jun 27 2009 by Chris Roberts, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

HUDDERSFIELD Giants erased the memory of last week’s shock home defeat to Castleford and the equally demoralising loss to Salford at the Galpharm a month before with a power-packed display at the City Reds.

With the forwards dominating from start to finish, and the backs having far more of a cutting edge, the result was never really in doubt.

In fact, such was the superiority of coach Nathan Brown’s men that the only real disappointment was the final margin of victory wasn’t even greater.

From the start it was clear the Giants meant business as they opened up a 12-0 lead inside a blistering six minutes.

On the visitors’ first attack, they forced a goalline drop-out, and within two plays Scott Moore was collecting from dummy half 20m out and stepping superbly through heavy traffic to crash over.

Brett Hodgson made no mistake with the conversion and followed up with his second three minutes later after grabbing a try himself.

Darrell Griffin made it all possible, punching a hole in the Salford defence and, after the ball had come loose, Kevin Brown was on hand to pick up, race away and feed the supporting Hodgson to finish off under the posts.

A strong 10th-minute burst from the impressive Keith Mason almost brought try No3 and then, seven minutes later, Luke Robinson was only denied by a last-ditch Jeremy Smith tackle.

But Huddersfield weren’t to be denied midway through the half, courtesy of some more excellent approach play.

Former Salford men Robinson and Simon Finnigan were at the heart of the move, creating the opening for Michael Lawrence to finish off strongly in the corner.

Hodgson again goaled and at 18-0 it couldn’t have been looking any better.