18 Aug 2024

GIANTS TAKE MAGIC WIN

Huddersfield Giants claimed a well earned two points as they defeated Castleford Tigers 20-12 at Magic Weekend.

Today’s Magic Weekend West-Yorkshire Derby at Elland Road began with the crown of all time best performing team at Magic Weekend in the balance and both teams coming into the game looking for a change in form.

The first tackle came after modern day legend Leroy Cudjoe hot-stepped around oncoming traffic, fresh off signing a contract extension with the club.

The Giants soon got off to a perfect start as birthday boy Sam Halsall touched down magnificently by the corner flag in front of the Cowbell Army to round off a slick team move and to put the Giants ahead. Jake Connor made no mistake with the boot, and after 5 minutes the Giants were 6-0 to the good.

After dominating the following minutes, the Giants got their reward in the form of a Sam Hewitt try. Hewitt was set up by his skipper Cudjoe who broke the line before offloading to Hewitt. The second-rower then just had to beat his man and place the ball down, which he did with ease. 

Connor made it 2/2 from the boot, and the Giants had doubled their lead.

The subsequent minutes were cagier than previous, as Castleford forced their way back into the game. This was helped as Tui Lolohea spent 10 minutes in the sin bin.

Despite being a man short, the Giants held firm and kept out any threat from the Tigers - showing impressive defence and great team unity.

Tui rejoined his teammates, and almost saw them score soon after, however Harry Rushton’s smooth yet powerful run ended in him being held up.

The Giants then fended off the Tigers’ onslaught to hear the half time hooter without conceding a point, and therefore leading 12-0 going into the break.

The second half started as a middle of the park battle, with both sides enjoying possession.

Although, it didn’t take the Giants long to regain the success they had before half time. This time, it was handed to them on a plate, as a misjudged bounce escaped all Castleford men, and landed in Lolohea’s hands who found Esan Marsters, to gain another easy 4 points. Jake Connor was having a superb day with the boot, and made the score 18-0 with half an hour to play.

After Fenton Rogers was sin binned for a high tackle, the Giants were reduced to 12-men for the second time. But yet again, the team showed remarkable cohesion and grit, as they held up the Tigers twice in Rogers’ absence.

Unfortunately for the Giants this couldn’t last forever, as the Tigers eventually found a breakthrough via Jason Qareqare who touched down in the corner on the hour mark. The kick by Milnes was successful and meant the game lay at Giants 18-6 Tigers.

Back to full strength, the Giants grasped hold of the game again. They were looking the more dominant team again, until they were exploited by a smooth Castleford counter, which was rounded off by Qareqare for his second try of the game.

The Giants responded to this exquisitely, by marching up the field, and earning themselves a penalty within enemy territory. Jake Connor executed the kick perfectly, securing the Giants an extra 2 points, and extending their lead to 8 points at 20-12 with less than 5 minutes to go.

Luke Robinson’s men stayed solid in order to keep out the Tigers, and grinder out the final plays to seal a huge 11th Magic Weekend win, as they defeated Castelford Tigers 20-12 with a great display of what the Giants really can do.

Giants Team: Connor, Bibby, Marsters, Naiqama, Halsall, Lolohea, Russell, Hill, Milner, Saverio, Rushton, Hewitt, Cudjoe

Interchanges: English, Ikahihifo, Rogers, Rush

18th Player: Livett

Tries: Halsall, Hewitt, Marsters

Goals: Connor x3

Penalty: Connor

Castleford Tigers Team: Hoy, Qareqare, Hall, Tate, Senior, Milnes, Miller, Mustapha, Horne, Hindmarsh-Takyi, El-Zakhem, Mellor, Westerman

Interchanges: Watts, Namo, Martin, Hill

18th Player: Johnson

Tries: Qareqare x2

Goals: Milnes x 2

By James Devine

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