THE early signs suggest this could be a good year for the Giants at Junior Academy level.

While the injury-hit Senior Academy side continue to find the going tough, the Under 18s opened their Championship campaign with an excellent 32-16 triumph at Salford.

It was also a win achieved without the likes of Luke George, Leroy Cudjoe and Richard Lopag, who are expected to be main players this season.

At the heart of the win at The Willows were three Newsome Panthers.

James Martin led the tryscoring, with his late length-of-the-field effort rounding off an excellent display.

Fellow second-rower Sam Housley was also a top performer, along with winger Michael Lawrence as the Giants set down an early marker .

The hope now is that the form can be maintained against Hull at the DRAM Centre on Sunday (11.30).

Unfortunately, it's proving a different story for the Senior side who were beaten 46-14 by a very strong Salford side.