HUDDERSFIELD Giants missed out on securing a place in the Senior Academy First Division Grand Final after conceding a last-minute try at Featherstone Rovers last night.

With one minute of their semi-final eliminator remaining, the visitors were holding a slender 18-16 advantage.

But with time running out and Rovers penned inside their own half, they attempted a speculative chip over the Giants defence.

Flying Featherstone winger James Ford, who represented the club in the Fastest Man in Rugby League competition two months ago, was the first to react and raced clear to score in the corner.

Ford failed to add the conversion, but there was not enough time for the Giants to claw their way back and Feathersone were able to celebrate the prospect a Grand Final appearance at Leigh Centurions on Monday week.

For Huddersfield, on the other hand, they were left to reflect on what might have been.

Everything had been going well in the opening half as the visitors built up a deserved 16-6 lead down the infamous Post Office Road slope.

With prop Jason Southwell proving almost unstoppable, coach Lee St Hilaire's side were quickly in control.

Within six minutes they had taken the lead as Danny Garside followed up a Danny Samuel break to score.

Tony Williams added the conversion, and the signs were looking good.

It got even better eight minutes later, with winger Bolu Fagborun capitalising on an error to score the easiest of tries.

A Paul Hughes try and Ford penalty midway through the half proved Rovers were capable of posing a threat.

But five minutes before the break Dave Armitage crossed for a second converted Giants' score to restore the 10-point advantage.

By the 57th minute, however, that lead had been lost as Keiron Hickman and Andy Kay grabbed tries and Ford landed one goal.

William nudged Huddersfield back in front with a penalty with 15 minutes remaining before Ford settled the outcome with the killer strike.