A LAST-MINUTE drop goal from Paul Mennell sealed a 33-32 triumph over Leeds Rhinos in a thrilling Junior Academy First Division clash at Laund Hill.

And what makes this victory all the more remarkable is that the Giants beat the Rhinos by the identical scoreline at the same venue in a grading fixture in April!

But for much of this latest contest it seemed unlikely the home side would be celebrating a repeat triumph.

Leeds took the lead after 13 minutes, and it wasn't until Luke George raced in for a length-of-the-field try in the 75th minute that the Giants felt this could be their day, paving the way for Mennell to emerge as the Huddersfield hero.

It was a fitting reward for the scrum half who, along with prop Chris Lawson and back-rower Dave Valentine, had been outstanding throughout.

Yet it was Leeds who did all the early running, with two tries from James Endersby giving the vicitors an 8-0 lead after 18 minutes.

Huddersfield hit back 10 minutes later when George followed up a grubber kick from Mennell, who then added the conversion.

But just before the break, Ayden Faal raced in for a try, converted by Luke Gale, to make it 14-6 and put the Rhinos firmly in the driving seat.

Within two minutes of the restart, however, it looked as if the tide had started to turn as another Mennell grubber set up Leroy Cudjoe for a converted score.

And when Joe Flaherty charged over from a great Mennell feed and the half-back again converted, the Giants appeared to have gained the upper hand.

Unfortunately, that provided the Rhinos with a wake-up call.

By the 61st minute, Danny Allen had scored twice, Tom Sheldrake once and Gale added all three conversions to make it 32-18.

Leeds looked in total control.

But in this remarkable contest, Huddersfield again hit back to set up a thrilling finale.

With 14 minutes remaining, Ryan Heeley raced over and three minutes later Lawson powered over to make it 32-28.

George then followed up with his 75th-minute try before Mennell sealed the win.

* Flyers coaches for the Giants' Super League trip to Hull on Saturday will leave the St Patrick's Centre at 2pm.

Tickets, priced at £11, are available from Tony Iredale Travel.