Huddersfield Giants Under 19s coach Chris Thorman believes his side is in the best possible shape to face one of their toughest Academy tests of the season.
Huddersfield’s in-form juniors will tonight (Wednesday) host Warrington Wolves at Huddersfield YMCA’s Laund Hill complex (7.30).
The Wolves have been strong at this level for several years.
But with the Giants going into the contest after an outstanding 60-6 home triumph over Castleford Tigers at the weekend, Thorman is looking forward to seeing what tonight brings.
“I was really proud of their efforts against the Tigers. In fact, it’s the proudest I’ve been since my return to the club,” said Thorman.
“They followed through to the plan, had intent in everything they were doing and got rewarded for it. To a man, they were all very good and it wouldn’t be fair to single out anyone because it was a complete team performance.
“And the word that resonates through the club is intent. If we’re doing stuff with intent we’ll be happy. If you’re decisive and intent in your actions you’ll go well to having a good performance and every single
one of our players did that at the weekend.
“They were genuine when asked to do anything and to keep them scoreless in the second half was a big thing for us.
“The test is tonight now against a very good Warrington side and if we can be consistent and take the performance against Castleford into that game we’ll be happy.”
The young claret and gold were completely dominant against the Tigers as they raced in for 11 tries.
Mikey Wood opened the scoring with a try from close range, converted by Jack Miller, and this was a sign of things to come as the Giants pack bullied the Tigers throughout.
That didn’t stop Castleford levelling the scores shortly afterwards.
In the final 20 minutes of the half, the Giants raced in for five scintillating tries.
Jake Connor instigated the onslaught after using his deceptive power to charge over, before further tries from Canaan Smithies, Liam Johnson, Elliott Morris and George Croisdale put the hosts in an unassailable position.
Their momentum continued after the break, with Connor, Johnson, Croisdale, Morris and Tom Battye all crossing and Miller finishing with eight goals to complete the rout.
As a result, the Giants are expected to show few changes to the side for what should be a cracking encounter tonight.
The Under 19s clash was part of a junior double-header against the Tigers, with Huddersfield’s Under 16s also triumphant, securing a 36-10 triumph.
Their victory was secured thanks to two tries from prop Jon Luke Kirby and one each from Liam Harriott, Jacob Wardle – the brother of Super League star Joe – Harry Aaronson and Izaac Farrell, who also landed six goals.
Giants Under 19s: Josh Hunt, Jared Simpson, Tom Battye, George Croisdale, Will Plimmer, Zack McComb, Jordan Brown, Will Milner, Jack Miller, Tyler Dickinson, Mick Learmonth, Sam Luckley, Elliot Morris, Will Carlos, Liam Johnson, Will Cooke, Mikey Wood, Canaan Smithies, Dom Jones.
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