Match Report | Catalans Dragons (A)

Huddersfield Giants staged a second-half fightback, but fell short against Catalans Dragons as they lost out 22-18.

The Giants started in the worst possible way, as an error from Joe Greenwood on set one allowed the Dragons to attack in our half and they made it count, with Tom Davies diving over in the corner.

Catalans Dragons extended their lead soon after, as a kick from Jordan Abdull ricocheted off the post pad and into the hands of the onrushing Theo Fages, who touched down and made the scores 10-0.

Another try came soon after, compiling a miserable first half of the Giants in which we didn't really trouble the Dragons defensive line.

On the last tackle of the set for the third time, Arthur Romano spotted a gap between Sam Halsall and Kevin Naiqama and burst through to score, with Tom Johnstone out jumping Halsall soon after to score, leaving the scores at 22-0 going into the break and with it all to do.

Ian Watson's side were restricted to just one goal line drop out in the half, and a number of errors meant that the side had more defending to do than was needed.

The scores going into the half stood at 22-0.

However, the Giants would not go down fighting, as a first career try from Harry Rushton saw us reduce the arrears early into the second half, as we built pressure.

A monster kick from Tui Lolohea then saw Arthur Mourgue concede the drop out, a quick chase from Kevin Naiqama forcing the full-back to concede the drop out.

This allowed Olly Russell to show some inventive play and kick over the top as he spotted the Dragons full-back out of position and his kick was chased by Ashton Golding, who touched down underneath the posts.

We would then set up a tense finish, as broken play allowed Adam Milner to dart through a gap and offload to Luke Yates, the ball would smash off the captains face and roll forward, he collected and scored after the whole Catalans team stopped and watched, thinking it was a knock-on.

An impressive piece of officiating from match official Liam Moore who sent it to the bunker as a try, and it was soon confirmed, Olly Russell adding the two to leave us for points behind at 22-18.

The comeback would fall short however, as a tired Giants struggled to make any ground within the last five minutes and the home side ran out winners.

Full Time - Catalans Dragons 22-18 Huddersfield Giants

TRIES

Harry Rushton, Ashton Golding, Luke Yates

GOALS

Olly Russell 3/3