Dragons beaten at Huddersfield


 
 

Huddersfield Giants (14) 26

T : Alex Mellor, Darnell McIntosh, Jermaine McGillvary 2, Adam O'Brien
G : Oliver Russell 3
DG :

Catalans Dragons (24) 25

T : Brayden Wiliame, Vincent Duport, David Mead, Rémi Casty
G : Josh Drinkwater 4
DG : Tony Gigot

 

Huddersfield Giants made it five Betfred Super League victories in succession with a thrilling 26-25 home victory over Catalans Dragons.

After fighting their way back from an 18-0 deficit, the hosts eventually sealed victory in the 77th minute when scrum-half Oliver Russell landed a 15-metre penalty from in front of the posts.

It was the boot of birthday boy Josh Drinkwater, 26, which did all of the damage in the opening quarter as the Dragon set up three tries for Brayden Wiliame, Vincent Duport and David Mead.

Alex Mellor replied but Julian Bousquet and Tony Gigot combined close to the Huddersfield line to send Remi Casty over under the posts.

Darrnell McIntosh and Jermaine McGillvary reduced the deficit to eight before half-time and it was all Huddersfield at the start of the second half, with Adam O’Brien squirming over from acting half-back.

McGillvary raced the length of the field, with Russell this time on target to level up at 24-24 with 16 minutes remaining.

Michael McIlorum’s drop-goal hit a post and bounced back but there was no denying Gigot his one-pointer, but Huddersfield responded through Russell's penalty.

The away side looked to have snatched it with 90 seconds left on the clock, but Benjamin Julien’s effort was ruled offside.

 

 

Match report

Giants: Rankin, McGillvary, Cudjoe, Gaskell, McIntosh, Turner, Russell, Lawrence, Leeming, English, Mellor, Murphy, Hinchcliffe
Subs: Ikahihifo, Ferguson, Smith, O’Brien

Dragons: Gigot, Duport, Mead, Wiliame, Tierney, Bird, Drinkwater, Simon, McIlorum, Moa, Jullien, Garcia, Casty
Subs: Anderson, Bousquet, Baitieri, Edwards

Stadium: John Smith’s Stadiulm

Referee: Gareth Hewer