ANGRY Giants coach Jon Sharp hit out at the key decisions which could have cost his side an opening-night Super League XII triumph over champions St Helens.

The Galpharm chief was full of praise for the way his side battled back from a nightmare start to make Saints fight all the way for their 18-10 win in front of a crowd of 9,212 - more than watched Town defeat Gillingham on Saturday.

The Giants trailed 14-2 after 19 minutes before showing grit to force their way back in.

However, it was two crucial second-half decisions which left Sharp fuming.

First, the Giants chief blasted match referee Ashley Klein for failing to send off Jon Wilkin for a late challenge which brought a premature end to influential captain Chris Thorman's game.

Then Sharp hit out at the decision of the Rugby Football League to appoint Steve Ganson, from St Helens, as video referee, especially after an effort by Eorl Crabtree was controversially ruled out.

"Eorl was unlucky not to have a try awarded when the video referee decided he didn't actually make the line," said Sharp.

"I find it a little strange how you can't referee your hometown team but you can make decisions during a game on your hometown team. I think it puts him in a compromising position.

"We spoke to the League but we were told it wasn't an issue.

"I was also mystified by the decision to only give Wilkin 10 minutes for his challenge on Chris. In my opinion, it should have been an automatic red card.

"Chris couldn't take any further part in the game and didn't know where he was."