18 Jul 2019

THE CHALKBOARD: VS CATALANS

The story behind the scoreline from our narrow defeat to Catalans Dragons in the Continental Clash

By Sean Evans

Last week’s high-scoring affair was backed up by another high-scoring affair but this time it was the Giants that fell short after Catalans Dragons breathed heavy fire and glided through the valiant Huddersfield defence.

Individual errors were brought up last week, and it seemed Simon Woolford was once again scratching his head from almost minute one, after veteran winger Jermaine McGillvary threw a nothing offload straight into the jaws of the Dragons, the next attack much like last week, costing the Giants points.

Differently to last week, is the shape of attack that Catalans throw compared to that of the compact styles we witnessed last week. Where as we spoke about the immediate threat of a compact system in taking on the line, creating space outside. The complete opposite needs to be defended in a slight more spread out system.

After a stellar defensive performance last week, here the Giants shows us what not to do.

With Tomkins slightly deeper and wider than we saw Lolohea, Gaskell is caught a bit tight meaning he has to move sharply across to cover. Tomkins presses that movement and guides Gaskell’s body shape to face the touchline before harshly stepping back into the gap on his weak shoulder.    


It must be said, Catalans defensive effort wasn’t reflected in the score line and they became a very tough team to break with a plan set to take both points, which makes our attacking performance that bit more impressive, even if we did just fall short.

Our compact attack found it’s match as the dragons stood to defend the halves and pressured the outsides to really slow down the attack and cut out options, but luck - and at times some awesome skill from the players - favoured the brave and odd bounces here and there really allowed the Giants to find some skilful rugby, the best parts of which came from the boot.

Catalans really struggled to cope with some great kicking game tactics from the home side, with our second try coming from a little grubber but the try of the game was no doubt made on the training field.



Catalans aggressive defensive play was cut in half by a quick play the ball, and when Gaskell galloped onto the ball the defence knew there was trouble. In an attempt to minimise the damage, the dragons push wide, meaning fullback Tomkins had to cover the holes, leaving a large gap in mid-field. Frawley followed eagerly once the kick was put through and a nice bit of skill meant McIntosh could slam down.

Lee Gaskell - the man with the plan.

Gaskell despite some defensive misses in this game, was the man once again that the plan funnelled through and it was his individual pieces of skill that led Huddersfield around the field.

We spoke about Tomkins’ first try and the veteran full-back plays a lot differently than he did when he first broke onto the scene but Gaskell’s unequivocal style has been consistent throughout his career and it is something defences just can’t plan to defend.


His individual effort saw him escape his man, dodge around the defensive press that had been pushed up throughout the game and back inside the gap left inside to cruise over the line.   



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