IT COULD hardly be classed as vintage Huddersfield Giants.

But after two defeats on the trot, coach Nathan’s Brown men were simply grateful for the win as they got their Super League campaign back on track.

The win briefly took the Giants back up to second in the League ladder ahead of the later Murrayfield Magic Weekend games.

And, just as importantly, it could be the catalyst for a return to their early-season form after the painful blips against Leeds and Warrington.

However, for that to be achieved, Brown knows only too well that his side needs to build considerably on a performance that in parts was good, but in parts was shaky.

But with the likes of Scott Moore returning to his best, ably supported by the likes of Danny Kirmond, the green shoots of recovery were clearly apparent.

With the Crusaders still searching for their first win after losing their opening 10 fixtures, the pressure was on from the start for the Giants not to become their first victims.

But any potential nerves were quickly settled as Huddersfield made the perfect start, taking the lead after just three minutes.

Livewire hooker Scott Moore was inevitably at the core, working the blindside to feed Brett Hodgson, who dummied before diving over.

The skipper then landed the touchline conversion and the Giants were on their way.

But it was another 10 minutes when they extended their lead as Luke Robinson’s short pass was collected at pace by the excellent Danny Kirmond to charge through and step past his opponent before touching down for a second converted score.

And the advantage was up to 16 points in the 28th minute.

The increasingly influential Kevin Brown made it possible, making strong ground before Moore moved in at acting half-back to barge over from 15m.

Hodgson this time failed to add the extras, but made no mistake three minutes before the break as the Giants added try No3.

Once again Brown was the architect, making inroads close the Crusaders’ line before slipping the pass to the supporting Shaun Lunt to twist out of the tackle and touch down.

A magnificent 50m burst from Paul Jackson straight from the restart almost resulted in a fifth Giants’ score, but at 22-0 at the break they were already almost out of sight.

The Crusaders started the second half in spirited fashion, with Paul Ballard denied by the video referee within three minutes of the restart.

But after Brett Hodgson also suffered the same fate nine minutes later, the Giants stepped up a gear.

In the 56th minute, Robinson’s charge to the line was brought to an abrupt end by a high shot, and from the quick tap, recalled prop Michael Korkidas crashed over from close range.

Then three minutes later Simon Finnigan was halted just short of the line, but Lunt was quickly in at acting half-back and sold an outrageous dummy to score the softest of tries under the posts.

The reliable Hodgson again added the goals and at 34-0 it seemed a case of ‘how many?’ for the men from West Yorkshire.

But all credit to the Crusaders for waving the white flag as they outscored the Giants three tries to one in the final 16 minutes.

Chris Beasley opened his side’s account after 64 minutes after good work from Jordan James and Damien Quinn converted.

Normal service appeared to have been resumed minutes later when Robinson’s short pass was collected by the supporting Finnigan to charge over for Hodgson to add his sixth and final goal from seven attempts.

But in the final seven minutes Anthony Blackwood and David Tangata-Toa added to the Crusaders’ tally to give the Welsh something to shout about.

At the same time, it was a painful conclusion for the Giants, and particularly for the unfortunate Kevin Brown, who was forced off the field in the closing moment after being hit accidentally around the head by teammate Paul Whatuira

Luckily for Brown, he will soon live to fight another day, as will Huddersfield, who will now be hoping their Super League momentum is slowly beginning to return.

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