17 May 2019

GIANTS BOUNCE BACK TO BEAT ROBINS

Huddersfield Giants 30-22 Hull Kingston Rovers

Despite an exit in the Challenge cup only five days prior, the Giants entered the game on a high knowing that they nearly put one of the best teams in the country to the sword. Hull KR on the other hand entered the game on the back of a Challenge Cup victory over Salford, however they also come into this game on the back of four consecutive Super League defeats.

Coming into this game the table Giants were in 9th and Hull KR two places and two points behind. Last time the two teams met was back in March where the Giants ran out victors beating Rovers 42 – 8. It was Jermaine McGillvary and Kruise Leeming who came out big scorers in that game, getting two tries each for the Giants and both players were again include in the nights 17-man squad.

However, despite the previous result the match was still poised to be very close and very competitive.

The match started and only four minutes in the Giants were 4 ahead, a very simple passing move from ten meters out to the wing finds Jermain McGillvary who simply walks through to touchdown. Unfortunately, Russell was unable to convert.

Four minutes after the try Joe Wardle found himself in trouble and in the sin bin for dissent. Hull KR made the extra man advantage pay as a pass out to their right wing found Junior Vaivai who levelled the game for Rovers. Again, the conversion was missed and so the game after 10 was all square at 4 – 4.

Despite on having 12 men on the field the Giants’ once again found themselves over the try line after 14 minutes. Some brilliant passing on the left-hand side of the field found Innes Senior who had to use every inch of his height to dive for the line, but he got the try and the Giants led by four points again with the conversation to hard to find. 14 minutes in 8 – 4 to the Giants.

With 15 minutes left to go in the first the Giants found themselves, not for the first time in the game having to defend their line but the defensive line held firm. Opportunities came and went for both teams, but simple mistakes and penalties proved costly for both sides.

It was one of these penalties that cost the Giants dearly nine minutes before the break, as the ref gave Rovers a penalty right on the try line which Ryan Shaw took quickly and despite calls that he had dropped it on the line the try was given and converted. 8 – 10 to Hull KR with nine to play.

Then only a minute later the score got worse for the Giants, as Rovers brought it into the 20-meter line and a low kick through found Craig Hall easily who dropped to his knees and once again got the try for Hull which was again converted. So, at the break Giants had all the work to do. 8 – 16.

The next try of the game would prove crucial and for the first 10 of the half both teams kept things very clinical as they wanted to avoid making any mistakes. But it was the Giants who finally got the breakthrough. Inside the 10, Gaskell flung a ball over the heads of three men to find McGillvary on the right who for a second time in the match got the try. The conversion was missed but it was a four-point game once again. 12 – 16 with 25 left on the clock.

Five minutes later the Giants finally brought the game back level as Joe Wardell crashed over the line after a penalty. However, the conversion was again missed and with less than 18 on the clock the games was all tied up 16 – 16.

Then barely a minute later the Jake Wardle scored a magnificent try! When the ball was spilled in the Giants half, Jake couldn’t believe his luck as he looked up and saw no-one coming to tackle him! He ran 80 meters including dodging to tackles right at the end to score yet again! And from probably the most difficult angle of the game Gaskell converted to give the Giants a six-point advantage. Less than a quarter of an hour to play and Huddersfield were up 22 – 16.

Hull KR had a taste of their own medicine as Antoni Maria was binned for a very late tackle and from the penalty the Giants took full advantage, Oliver Russell kicked over from 25 meters to give the Giants an eight-point lead. 24 – 16 with only 10 to play.

Then with five to play the Giants finished it. Kruise Leeming picked up from Ukuma Ta’ai five meters out and managed to weave his way through the Rovers back line to secure the game. Oliver Russell converted, and the score was 30 – 16.

With 90 seconds left on the clock Hull KR got what would be nothing more than a consolation try and conversion to make it 30 – 22. But that was the game.

A brilliant second half comeback which saw the Giants come from eight down to win by 10.

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