Reserves Match Report: Giants 30 - 36 Castleford

The first team's thumping win could not be matched, as a solid first half display had Castleford leading 10-24 at half time, with them eventually running out as 30-36 winners.

Following on from the Super League fixture between the two sides, The Huddersfield Giants once again did battle with the Castleford Tigers. This time it was the turn of the reserves as they squared off at Laund Hill in their season opener.

The first team's thumping win could not be matched however, as a solid first half display had Castleford leading 10-24 at half time, with them eventually running out as 30-36 winners.

The Giants opened the scoring early on in the first half. A looping cut-out ball from halfback Kieran Rush led to Oli Whitford touching down in the corner. This was followed by 5  unanswered scores from the visitors who made their weight of possession count and they would’ve gone in at the break leading by 20 had Darius Carter not finished off a great attacking shift play. A successful conversion from Rush out-wide had the scores locked in at 10-24 at half time.

Head Coach Tom Tsang clearly lit a rocket in his players as they came out firing in the second half. Tries from Harvey Livett, Ethane Wainwright, Connor Carr and Whitford at the double (who could’ve had a hattrick were it not for the linesman’s flag in the first half) had The Giants not only playing expansive, exciting rugby but also leading for the first time in an hour going into the final ten.

However this game had more twists as two late tries from the visitors flipped the game back in their favour, including one a mere minute or two from the final hooter. Resulting in a 30-36 defeat for the Claret & Gold’s reserves in their first outing of the year. Whilst this isn’t the most ideal start, there are still tonnes of positives to take from this game. Such as the performances of youngsters George Flanagan and Particularly Jacob Algar, who held his own against a much older and larger front row.

The reserves are back in action in two week’s time, away at Wakefield Trinity. Whereas the academy are in action next week, at home to Hull KR with a 10:30KO.

Huddersfield: Flanagan, Carr, Carter, Wainwright, Whitford, Ward, Rush, Bibby, Deakin, Algar, Livett, Bibby, Billington. Bench: Lumb, Land, Siddique, Donbavand, Merta, Hudson, Thornton.

Castleford: Groves, Hall, Dean, Wall, Sarbah, Linford, Windley, Hindmarsh-Takyi, Robb, Kibula, Martin, Darley, Hill. Bench: Horwell, Matveje, Millingtom, Walker, Salmon.