THE Giants Academy fell short against a New South Wales touring side, losing 42-34 at the Galpharm.

But the teenage team can take heart from a strong performance – with prop Daniel Keane and back-rower Joel Farrell both playing out of their skins in the claret and gold against a talented group of potential future NRL household names.

The game will have also provided great experience, which will stand the future Huddersfield stars in good stead.

Half-backs Liam Coe and Nathan Mason will have especially learned a thing or two from outstanding Aussie scrum-half Jye Douglas, who bagged four tries as well as being a threat in all areas throughout the game.

The Giants nearly went behind early on as Douglas grubber kicked through to Mitchell Brassington – only for the touchdown to be disallowed for offside.

From the resulting penalty, the Giants broke away and Kyle Mayall managed to get over with Freddy Walker adding the conversion.

However, the tourists hit back as Douglas got his first try as he stepped inside two defenders to cross from close range and Brassington added the first of his seven goals.

The second was a carbon copy of Douglas’ first five minutes later, with Brassington again adding the extras, but Huddersfield hit back when Sam Rochford opened a gap down the left to free Elliot Gorman who went over.

The Giants were starting to get on top with some powerful defence and neat attacking plays, but that momentum halted when Douglas completed his hat trick against the run of play.

The Aussie playmaker stripped the ball in a one-on-one tackle and went in under the sticks, with all of his scores coming in the first half hour.

The skilful scrum half then turned provider as he sent out the pass to allow Jake Tonitto to crash over.

The home side came out firing at the start of the second half as they scored two tries in the first 10 minutes.

The first came as the impressive Farrell broke through and then stepped inside two defenders to get the try between the posts.

The second came after the Giants’ best performer, Keane, put in a massive shot in defence which caused a knock-on close to the line.

Liam Coe must have been taking note of Douglas’ exploits as he dummied in similar fashion and then put Aaron Briggs in.

But just as the Giants closed in the boys from Down Under broke clear again.

Firstly, Brassington played in full-back Jayden Valenzisi, and then the tourists must have decided they were playing Huddersfield Town!

A soccer style one-two kicked from Douglas to Dean Britt and back again enabled Douglas to get his fourth.

George King got the Giants back within 10 points as he powered through three defenders to get over the line, but luck just wasn’t with them as Brassington’s kick looked to be going into touch but for a wicked bounce which Matthew Harris anticipated to touch down.

The home side managed to have the last word though as Ben Whitehead broke from a scrum to go over the line from 30 yards out.

He then converted to end the scoring in a game which will have helped the Giants academy players gain vital experience.