A stellar first half performance from the Giants saw them leading 14-0 at the break, with tries from Leroy Cudjoe and Ryan Brierley. The second half was much more even, the scoring restarted when Danny Brough darted over from close range to make it 20-0, before Adam Cuthbertson cleverly used the post to create some space and crash over. Tom Briscoe then got on the end of his own kick to reduce the deficit to just 10 points, although Brough then made it a two score game by adding his fifth goal of the afternoon. A fantastic finish from Ash Handley rounded the scoring off for the day, as Huddersfield ran out winners in this tight West Yorkshire affair.
Good Games:
Danny Brough- The controversial half-back ran the game today, showing the top quality he possesses. I felt he made all the right calls when it came to taking the 2 points on offer or running it, which was important against an undisciplined Leeds side and a whistle-happy Ben Thaler. Huddersfield are often touted as a one-man team, but when that one man, Danny Brough, is on form there’s no shame in making everything go through him.
Stevie Ward- 12 months on from the horrific injury he suffered at the John Smiths stadium, Stevie Ward showed his class and was a constant thorn in the side of Huddersfield’s defence, with a tenacious running game. His mental resilience in revisiting the scene of his injury nearly a year to the day was only matched by his physical resilience as he was the shining light in an otherwise below average Leeds performance.
Aaron Murphy- The ever reliable Giants winger is often overshadowed by Huddersfield’s other winger, Jermaine McGillvary but today Murphy stepped into the limelight. A big hit on Kallum Watkins early on set the standard, with Cudjoe then going over from the resulting pressure. Murphy broke through the middle for the second try, giving it to Brierley for him to go underneath the sticks. All told, it was a very solid performance, particularly when up against a good opposite number in Tom Briscoe.
Poor Performances:
James Segeyaro- The hooker who has impressed so far with the Leeds Rhinos had a day to forget at the John Smiths Stadium, coughing up possession with fumbles and poor passes, in addition to conceding a few penalties and being put on report. Segeyaro was truly off the boil and did little to run the game for the Rhinos, whilst also failing to make an impact in defence. Segeyaro will bounce back from this setback but that’s little consolation in the here and now.
Brett Ferres- The ex-Huddersfield man has more than his fair share of history with the Claret and Gold, infamously having an affair with teammate Craig Huby’s wife and was clearly playing the game with ulterior motives. Whilst Huby seemed to rise above the potential aggro, Ferres seemed to revel in causing trouble and was often absent from Leeds’ defensive line, just for the sake of having the last word. Other than his clashes with former teammates, Ferres was anonymous and did little for his teams cause.
