Round 8
Salford City Reds 36 d. Huddersfield Giants 18

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

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

Salford City Reds
Karl Fitzpatrick [FB] 12 Pts; 3t
John Wilshere [WG] 12 Pts; 6g
David Hodgson [WG] 4 Pts; 1t
Luke Robinson [HB] 4 Pts; 1t
Ian Sibbit [SR] 4 Pts; 1t

Huddersfield Giants
Chris Thorman [F8] 6 Pts; 3g
Martin Aspinwall [WG] 4 Pts; 1t
Robbie Paul [HB] 4 Pts; 1t
Michael De Vere [CT] 4 Pts; 1t



Inform Salford too good for Huddersfield
Tue April 11, 2006
Source: www.giantsrl.com

Chris Thorman and Paul March returned to the Giants line-up for the trip over the Pennines to the Willows to take on form team Salford City Reds, but Paul Reilly was missing, Stuart Donlan reverting to the full back position.

Early exchanges were even, but 2 scrum heels against the head gave Salford position in the Giants half and on 10 minutes they went ahead, good support play giving Karl Fitzpatrick the opportunity to race over for the opening try, John Wilshere converting. On 15 minutes the Giants were on level terms, pressure inside the Reds 20 metre area resulting in Robbie Paul putting an inch perfect grubber kick over the line, Michael De Vere chasing and winning the race to the touchdown. Chris Thorman added the extras, and 3 minutes later the Giants supporters were cheering again as Eorl Crabtree charged clean through the defence to put Robbie Paul on a 30 metre dash to the line, Chris Thorman converting.

The Giants might have extended their 6 point lead on 22 minutes when Matt Gardner lost the ball over the line under pressure from defenders. The home side took advantage of this let-off by swiftly moving the ball to the other end of the field, Andrew Dunemann totally bemusing the Giants defence on a mazy crossfield run to put Fitzpatrick in for his second try of the evening, Wilshere again converting to level the scores with 22 minutes gone. Salford, encouraged by this score, now had the bit between their teeth, and put the Giants defence under extreme pressure, causing Chris Thorman to drop the ball over his own line, Ian Sibbit accepting the gift to touch down. John Wilshere converted and the Reds led by 6 points. The Giants suffered a further blow on 31 minutes when Stuart Jones tackled Andrew Dunemann late after he had kicked the ball, referee Steve Ganson sending him to the sin-bin.

Heavy rain now began to fall to make conditions difficult for the players and the Giants were not helping their own cause by making errors; on 33 minutes Wayne McDonald tried to offload under pressure, losing possession in his own 20, and from the resultant set of tackles Andrew Dunemann made the break to put David Hodgson over for another try, Wilshere converting to give the home side a 12 point lead. The Giants tried to steady the ship as half time approached, Matt Gardner almost getting away, the pass to him being ruled forward.

It had not been the best of halves for the Giants, individual mistakes putting them under almost continual pressure from a highly enthusiastic home side, ably prompted by Andrew Dunemann. The Giants needed an early second half score to get back in the game, their first efforts coming to an end when the ball was lost in a good position, but on 45 minutes Martin Aspinwall gave them hope with a fine individual try by the posts after carving through the defence. Chris Thorman's conversion reduced the deficit to 6 points, but hopes of a complete turn around were dashed on 57 minutes when full back Karl Fitzpatrick took advantage of a wide gap in the Giants defensive line up to go over for a hat-trick try, John Wilshere again converting.

On 61 minutes Andy Coley was sinbinned for an obstruction on Paul March as he kicked ahead, but the Giants were unable to take advantage of the extra man whilst he was off the field , and the final 10 minutes saw the home side pressing, Wilshere adding a penalty goal on 70 minutes after missing an earlier effort, and Luke Robinson being wide with a drop goal attempt. The same player did though get the last score, scooting through for a try on a diagonal run to the corner. John Wilshere was wide with the conversion.The result was a big disappointment to the Giants who did not display the form of which they are capable. Salford played with confidence in dreadful weather conditions and fully deserved their success. Martin Aspinwall and Stuart Donlan stood out for the Giants but overall this was a match to forget. Much better will surely be needed for their next game, at home to Hull on Good Friday.

Report source: www.giantsrl.com

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