HUDDERSFIELD Giants have sent another clear message to the rest of Super League that they are getting back to their best!

After a stuttering run of six top-flight fixtures without a win, the Giants have now been victorious in their last two – away to sides in the top six.

There were clear signs in their narrow 24-23 triumph at Wakefield eight days ago that head coach Jon Sharp’s side were getting back to the mid-season form which had seen them win nine League and Cup games on the trot.

And that was re-inforced with the way they overpowered Harlequins at The Stoop.

Although the sides were locked at 6-6 at the break, Huddersfield were always the dominant force.

Had they taken all their first-half chances, they would have been in complete control by the halfway mark.

But in the second half, they quickly turned the screw to ram home their advantage.

In the end, it was their extra cutting edge on attack that counted for so much, although it would be wrong not to hand out equal praise to their defence.

Because they kept on forcing the pass and coughing up possession in the opening period, the visitors were forced to do a fair bit of defensive work.

Yet despite boasting half-backs of the quality of former Australian Test star Scott Hill and Danny Orr, they struggled to make an impact against a Giants tackling machine which is now back operating to its full potential.

In comparison, the Giants’ halves were a genuine threat from start to finish, with Kevin Brown and Robbie Paul always a danger.

Captain Chris Thorman was also a potent attacking weapon when he came into the line, something he demonstrated to the full with the opening score after 10 minutes.

The Giants full-back spotted a gap just inside his own half, raced through it and fed the supporting Chris Nero who again showed his class to outpace the defence and scorch over for Thorman to convert.

Brown, Thorman, Brad Drew, Rod Jensen and Eorl Crabtree all came desperately close to extending the Giants’ advantage before a spell of late pressure enabled Quins prop Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook to crash over from close range.

Paul Sykes converted and it was all square.

Within four minutes of the restart, however, the Giants had re-taken a lead they never looked like losing.

Again, the excellent Nero took the lead, showing great strength to crash over from close range.

Thorman was unable to convert, but made no mistake four minutes later, landing the extras after Paul’s super break created the opening for the in-form Steve Snitch to race over.

Quins did threaten a fightback when Tyrone Smith scored in the corner in the 61st minute.

But six minutes later, Brown struck the major hammer blow, collecting the ball 5m from the line, dummying to his left and strolling over by the posts.

Thorman converted, and it was the beginning of the end of the Quins’ challenge.

More importantly, it proved the Giants are back in business!

l The Giants Senior Academy were beaten by Harlequins in a game played at Richmond instead of The Stoop because of the wet conditions.