IN-FORM winger Marcus George raced over for six tries as the Giants returned to winning ways with a 44-22 Senior Academy triumph over Featherstone at Syngenta last night.
George completed a hat trick as Huddersfield suffered their first defeat of the campaign at Leigh last Saturday.
But the flying winger last night scored three tries in each half to help guide the Giants to a convincing victory.
Despite coach Lee St Hilaire fielding 10 members of the club's Under 18s squad, the home side led from start to finish.
Bolu Fagborun opened the scoring after five minutes with a powerfully-taken try, converted by Thomas Hemingway, and five minutes later George sprinted 80m for his first to double the lead.
Featherstone did have their first-half moments, with tries from former St Helens second-rower Bryan Henare, Steve Coulson and Kevin Till, who also added two goals, but by the break the Giants were 30-16 ahead.
George raced in for two more just before half-time and Ben Clare also crossed to give the Giants an interval lead that was soon extended.
Not surprisingly, it was George who set the ball rolling with a 42nd-minute effort and 10 minutes later he was over again.
Although Lee West struck back for Rovers in the 65th minute, it was fitting that George should have the final say, completing his double hat trick with five minutes remaining.
George obviously caught the eye with his major haul, but there were also some very solid performances from the likes of Hemingway, Fagborun, Danny Samuel and Jason Southwell.
FIVE members of last night's Senior Academy side are back in Giants action for the Junior Academy at Leigh on Sunday (12.15).
They include top tryscorer Marcus George, who will form an exciting wing-centre partnership with younger brother Luke.
Junior Academy: Hull; George (L), George (M), Knight, Garside; Hemingway, Simpson; Watson, Tillotson, Holdsworth, George (S), Clarke, Robinson. Subs (from): Southwell, Flaherty, Wilkinson, Cudjoe, Martin.
