21 Dec 2020

Fast 5: Nailbiters

For this week's collection of games, we look at close contests

We’re all missing rugby here so today we will have a look at five of the closest games Giants have been involved in and don’t worry, there’s no mention of 2019’s Wakefield or 2015’s Ryan Hall:

Catalans Dragons 22 – 22 Huddersfield Giants – Magic Weekend 2015

Giants took a 16-0 lead just after half-time, however, Huddersfield conspired to throw this all away and had to rely on an 80th minute conversion from Danny Brough to rescue a point.

Despite being played at a 52,000 capacity stadium with a pocket of Giants fans and the 30 odd Catalans supporters the only people with a vested interest in the game, by the time Danny Brough had moved the sponsorship board so he could run-up and strike the ball, the stadium was hooked.

As the ball flew towards the posts at the Leazes End, the ground went silent, only interrupted by a huge roar from the Giants fans once the flags from the assistants went up, confirming the goal.

Ex-Giant Kyle Wood also described this game as his favourite Huddersfield game at Magic Weekend, it’s hard to disagree, it had everything.

Huddersfield Giants 17 – 16 St Helens – 4th March 2012

It may be a team game but without Luke George and Danny Brough, this game could have been so different.

A hat-trick from George, supported by two conversions and a drop-goal from Brough put Giants 17-12 ahead with just eight minutes to go.

However, when Ade Gardner crossed with seven to go, a Jonny Lomax conversion would have seen Saints squeeze ahead, however, he missed, and Giants saw out the rest of the game

The rugby Gods must have been on Huddersfield’s side this day, just look at the conversion from Brough which hit both posts and the upright for evidence of this.

Wakefield Trinity 16 – 18 Huddersfield Giants – 24th February 2013

This game didn’t have the last-gasp winner like others, nor did it feel like Giants had some divine intervention, what it had was Jermaine McGillvary.

McGillvary’s 44-minute hat-trick gave Giants an 18-8 lead, however, once again, they made life difficult for themselves and conceded two tries in the second half.

Luckily for Huddersfield, both tries went unconverted and they left Wakefield with the two points.

Huddersfield Giants 26 – 25 Catalans Dragons – 15th June 2018

This one-point win made it five victories in a row for Simon Woolford at Huddersfield, a result which looked almost impossible when Giants fell 18-0 behind.

However, they fought back through McGillvary, Mellor and Murphy, but, with three minutes remaining, they still trailed 25-24.

Up step Olly Russell, with nerves of steel, to slot home a penalty and give Giants a slender 26-25 lead which they held until the final whistle.

Salford Red Devils 10 – 12 Huddersfield Giants – 14th February 2020

We finish this list with the most recent clash, a nail-biting victory over last season’s Grand Finalists Salford Red Devils.

The victory over St Helens, by the same margin, three weeks later could have made this list, however, what puts this slightly ahead is the drama.

The game was level, the home side were looking the most likely victors, however, Kevin Brown’s moment of madness saw him depart the field with less than ten to go.

Then, step-up Aidan Sezer with a simple penalty to win the game for Giants, making it two from two at the beginning of the campaign.

Partners

Partner
Partner
Partner
Partner
Partner
Partner
Partner
Partner
Partner
Partner
Partner
Partner
Partner
Partner
Partner
Partner
Partner
Partner
Partner
Partner
Partner
Partner
Partner
Partner
Partner
Partner
Partner
Partner
Partner
Partner
Partner
Partner
Partner
Partner
Partner
Partner
Partner
Partner