Round 7
Castleford Tigers 22 l. Huddersfield Giants 36

2006 English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: United Kingdom > National > First Grade Competition: English Super League

Castleford Tigers
Willie Manu [BE] 8 Pts; 2t
Deon Bird [CT] 4 Pts; 1t
Luke Dyer [WG] 4 Pts; 1t
Andy Kain [HB] 4 Pts; 2g
Craig Huby [SR] 2 Pts; 1g

Huddersfield Giants
Chris Thorman [F8] 12 Pts; 6g
Stephen Wild [LK] 8 Pts; 2t
James Evans [CT] 4 Pts; 1t
Brad Drew [DH] 4 Pts; 1t
Paul Reilly [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
Steve Snitch [BE] 4 Pts; 1t



Giants beat Jungle hoodoo
Tue March 28, 2006
Source: www.giantsrl.com

The largest away following of the season to date had made the short trip to the Jungle hoping to see their favourites record a rare success on a ground which has brought many disappointments in recent years to the Huddersfield Giants. The Giants were unchanged from last week's emphatic triumph against Harlequins, whilst the Tigers, also boosted by recent results, were lacking the services of Danny Sculthorpe and Richard Fa'aoso. The Giants made a blistering start, scoring a try on 45 seconds, possibly their fastest ever in SuperLeague, Albert Torrens making the break and handing on to Matt Gardner who ran some 40 metres before passing inside to Chris Thorman who in turn passed to the supporting Paul Reilly who crossed by the posts to leave Chris Thorman a simple conversion.

On five minutes the Giants were over again, Stephen Wild getting the touchdown after excellent passing and support play involving Brad Drew, Robbie Paul and Stuart Jones covering 50 metres. Chris Thorman missed the conversion, but 4 minutes later Eorl Crabtree stole the ball in a one-on-one tackle and fed Stephen Wild who powered through from 60 metres to get his second try, Chris Thorman converting. 2 minutes later, Stephen Wild released James Evans down the right and he timed a superb pass to send Brad Drew scuttling away to touch down under the posts, Chris Thorman again obliging with the conversion. 11 minutes had gone and the Giants had scored at the rate of 2 points a minute.

It might have been more shortly after as Stuart Donlan almost got in at corner and then Brad Drew was just unable to hold a pass which would have put him in under the posts. On 20 minutes the Giants suffered a blow with the loss of Albert Torrens who sustained what looked like a nasty knee injury in a tackle, and shortly after a kick to the line by the Giants was not chased very well, enabling Michael Platt to run 40 metres upfield. From the resultant plays Stuart Donla, impressive under the high bomb last week, totally failed to deal with a crossfield kick, giving Luke Dyer a walk-in try at the corner. Andy Kain missed the conversion, but suddenly the impetus of the game was swinging the way of the Tigers as the Giants appeared to relax their concentration.

On 31 minutes Wayne McDonald, attemping to offload 15 metres from his own posts ,only succeeded in handing the ball to the tacler Willie Manu, who gratefully accrplted and strolled over to score under the posts, Andy Kain adding the extras. The Tigers revival continued and they crossed again on 35 minutes through Willie Manu after the Giants had been forced to concede a goal line drop-out, Gray Viane creating the space wide out. Andy Kain could not convert, but the half time hooter went with the Tigers trailing by just 8 points.

After the Giants sensational start it was difficult to understand the transformation which had occurred by half time. The Giants should have had the points wrapped up by this stage; as it was the Tigers were looking as though they could turn the game completely on its head with forwards Danny Nuttley and Willie Manu leading the way.

The Giants needed to regroup and regain some composure, but the second half began disastrously, Matt Gardner fielding a long kick near his own line and passing to Paul Reilly who dropped the ball, allowing Deon Bird to pick up and score under the posts, Andy Kain converting. With the deficit now only 2 points the Tigers piled on the pressure and they levelled the scores on 61 minutes with a Craig Huby penalty when the Giants were penalised for ball stealing in a 2 man tackle.

The Tigers were looking the more likely to win the game at this stage, but missed a try scoring opportunity on 65 minutes when Andy Kain's high kick to the corner was dropped over the line by Shenton, and 2 minutes later Eorl Crabtree charged down a drop goal attempt by Andy Kain, regaining possession for the Giants. This proved to be a turning point, as 4 plays later the Tigers were penalised for not standing square at a play-the-ball and Chris Thorman's penalty goal edged the Giants back in front. On 71 minutes with the momentum swinging back the Giants way, Robbie Paul showed his immense class by putting a short grubber kick over the Tigers line when under pressure, enabling James Evans to touch down. Chris Thorman's conversion stretched the lead to 8 points, and with 1 minute remaining Steve Snitch charged over by the posts to leave Chris Thorman with an easy conversion, this being after the Tigers lost possession in their own 20 metre area.

A remarkable game had entertained the supporters of both clubs and had been a great advert for Super League, played in the best of spirits. The Giants would wonder how they contrived to squander a lead of 22 points, but credit to the Tigers for their tremendous fightback which almost succeeded. In the end the class of the Giants had just won the day, with huge performances from Robbie Paul at crucial times during the game, Stephen Wild on defence and attack and Eorl Crabtree.

Report source: www.giantsrl.com

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