It wasn’t quite as awful as the 48-0 hammering in the South of France six years ago.

But when the misfiring Giants were 24-0 down after 60 horrible minutes against the previously-struggling Catalan Dragons it was looking like a case of déjà vu.

Huddersfield were struggling in attack, struggling in defence and struggling with their discipline.

They were a pale shadow of the side that looked to be heading into form after the home draw against an impressive Leeds Rhinos side and away hammering of Bradford Bulls in the previous two weeks and a heavy defeat was on the cards.

Admittedly, the Giants did steady the ship a little with three tries in the final 15 minutes.

But that couldn’t hide the fact this was a bad night and one the travelling fans who had made such a long journey to support their favourites didn’t deserve.

It had looked promising early on, with the Giants dominating the opening exchanges and looking in the mood to build on last week’s big win over the Bulls.

They twice forced the Dragons to drop-out from under their own posts in the opening seven minutes, while good last-ditch defence meant Joe Wardle was held up over the tryline.

Huddersfield were also denied by video referee Thierry Alibert early on when he ruled Lous Anderson had grounded the ball in the in-goal area before releasing and seeing Leroy Cudjoe touch down. But against the run of play, the hosts took the lead after 15 minutes.

A relieving break from deep, followed by two quick penalties put Catalan on the front foot and Zeb Taia was able to run through a hole with ease.

Thomas Bosc converted and then added a second five minutes later after the most dubious of scores.

Despite Anderson appearing to have no control of the ball as he touched down, French official Alibert disagreed after a long consultation and the try stood.

To rub more salt into the Giants’ ever-opening wound, Bosc banged over a penalty six minutes before the break to leave the visitors needing to score three times to get something from the contest.

And that lead could have been bigger on the stroke of half-time had Bosc been on target with another penalty attempt after Jermaine McGillvary had produced a top try-saving effort to deny the rapid Morgan Escare, but then held the full-back down just a little too long.

It did get worse five minutes after the restart, however, when the Dragons made the most of a loose ball on halfway and the ball was spun out to the left for a great move to send Anderson charging over for his second on the night.

Elliott Whitehead was then held up over the line and the Giants were forced to drop-out as the pressure continued,

It was no great surprise, however, when Catalan did extend their lead after an hour as more good work down their left released Escare to scamper over to make it 24-0 and effectively end the game as a contest.

The Giants did finally break their duck with 15 minutes remaining when Luke Robinson’s grubber was grounded by Scott Grix after an initial duel between Danny Brough and Bosc, with Alibert this time ruling Brough had not got a touch.

Brough added the extras and at least a ‘nilling’ had been avoided.

Then moments later the deficit was down to 14 points when Brett Ferres popped up on the blindside to crash through a pile of bodies, too wide out for Brough to convert.

But that sense of renewed optimism didn’t last too long, with Whitehead pouncing on a grubber to score his side’s fifth try with five minutes remaining. Bosc converted and it was an insurmountable 30-10.

Broughton showed his strength to score in the corner with two minutes remaining, but it was little consolation for a very disappointing Perpignan trip.

Click here for more Huddersfield Giants news

Want to read, watch and hear more? You can download the FREE Examiner Apple App here, the FREE Examiner Android App here or you can view the paper as an e-edition on your Apple, Android or Kindle device by clicking here

Want the latest Huddersfield Giants news? Follow our Giants news Twitter here