Improving Huddersfield Giants put their early-season Super League XXI woes behind them to march into the quarter-finals of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup with a thoroughly-deserved 36-22 victory over holders Leeds Rhinos.
Coach Paul Anderson’s men were dominant for large parts of the contest, and the fact it was the Giants’ third successive home win - following on from last week’s League triumph over the same opponents and Warrington Wolves two weeks earlier - is a another definite sign they are finally heading in the right direction.
With man-of-the-match Danny Brough once again pulling the strings and inspiring the men around him, the home side always looked capable of ending Leeds’ two-year domination of rugby league’s most famous knockout competition.
And with three wins from their last four fixtures, there won’t be many clubs wanting to be paired against the resurgent Giants in Sunday afternoon’s last-eight draw.
The start of the tie couldn't have been any worse, with a Jordan Lilley break helping to set up a try for Jimmy Keinhorst in the opening minute, converted by Lilley.
But after that early setback the Giants didn't look back.
They looked stronger, sharper and hungrier, and thoroughly deserved to lead 19-6 at the break.
The scores were level after 13 minutes when Danny Brough tempted the Leeds defence before offloading to the rampaging Ukuma Ta'ai to storm over.
Brough added the first of his three first-half conversions, and Huddersfield were in control, taking the lead in the 20th minute.
A strong Nathan Mason midfield burst caught the Rhinos on the back foot and laid the foundations for Brough and Leroy Cudjoe to combine for Jermaine McGillvary to finish strongly.
That lead was close to being extended in the 28th minute, but referee Ben Thaler ruled McGillvary had knocked-on challenging for a high ball that helped take Cudjoe over the tryline.
But the hosts weren't to be denied three minutes before the break when former Giant Brett Ferres lost the ball under heavy pressure as he attempted to score and the ball came loose for McGillvary to collect, make ground and feed Ryan Brierley to scorch away for a 60m-score.
To add to Leeds’ woes, Ferres was sin-binned for dissent in the aftermath and in the final seconds Jake Connor slapped over a drop goal to leave the Rhinos needing to score three times in the second period to keep their Cup hopes alive.
But despite being down to 12 men and the Giants getting the early second-half lift of a strong Oliver Roberts break, it was the visitors who drew first blood after the interval.
A Brough pass was intercepted by Lilley to make 50 metres and moments later Liam Sutcliffe plunged over from close range for his side’s second converted score in the 45th minute.
Fortunately, the Giants’ response was almost immediate as Cudjoe charged to the line and fed the supporting Kyle Wood to finish off in the corner and for Brough to again add the extras.
That failed to end Leeds’ resistance, however, with Adam Cuthbertson racing clear on halfway from a neat Sutcliffe pass and finding Keinhorst to cross for his second – it was now 25-16 after 52 minutes.
Brough banged over a penalty five minutes later to settle the nerves in a contest that was still very much far from over.
And the in-form half-back eased them even more in the 66th minute when he fooled the Leeds defence close to their line and sneaked over under the posts and added the extras to make it 33-16.
His drop goal two minutes later underlined the Giants growing.
He proved he was human shortly after by missing with a penalty, but made up for it with a 71st-minute drop goal to hammer another nail into the Leeds coffin.
Former Giants prop Anthony Mullally crossed for a converted consolation effort with six minutes remaining.
But it was fitting Brough should have the final day with his third field goal to complete an excellent night’s work.
Catalans Dragons won through at Batley Bulldogs and the French team led 12-0 at half-time with tries from Fouad Yaha and Vincent Duport, plus two goals from Pat Richards.
But in the second the French team ran away with the tie winning 40-4 with tries from Richie Myler, Dave Taylor, Tony Gigot (2) and a second for Duport.
THE Giants Under 19s will be looking to bounce back from their narrow Academy defeat to Leeds Rhinos when they host Wigan Warriors at the DRAM Centre this afternoon (2pm).
Coach Chris Thorman’s side were unlucky to go down 30-28 in last weekend’s derby clash and are desperate to avoid a repeat today as they seek a fifth win from their eight starts.
Giants Under 19s: Tyllar Mellor, Alex Young, Jack Richardson, Keiron Reilly, Jack Etchells, Ethan Salm, Izaac Farrell, Matthew English, Jamie Greenwood, Jon-Luke Kirby, Sam Hewitt, Harry Woollard, Liam Johnson, Connor Redgwick, Fletcher Davies, Connor Hampson, Will Ingleby, Brad Burgess, Oliver Jamieson.
