Huddersfield loss for the Tigers

After absorbing the Tigers’ opening pressure, it was Huddersfield who took the lead eight minutes in. Suaia Matagi was punished for a high tackle in the middle of the park and Cas paid the price as Giants forward Owen Trout juked his way over and the try was given after a lengthy look from the video referee. Will Pryce was successful with the first conversion of the afternoon.

Huddersfield were using their momentum to full affect as they kept the Tigers under the pump. Last week’s hat-trick man Greg Eden had to scurry back to fetch a Lolohea kick which forced a goal line drop out. The Cas scramble defence looked to have done enough from the following set, however, a high boot on the last was collected by Chris McQueen and the second rower handed the ball to Luke Yates just a couple of metres out to cross. Pryce made it two from two to push his side 12 points ahead with 15 minutes gone.

Another penalty awarded against the Tigers saw them defending their try line just minutes later. Lolohea elected to kick on the final tackle five metres from the Cas line, Leroy Cudjoe almost got to it, but Eden’s presence was enough to force the Giants centre into knocking the ball on.

Castleford looked to respond just over halfway through the opening 40 and after a Gareth O’Brien pass out wide was tipped forward by Jermaine McGillvary 20 metres out, the Tigers had a scrum in Giants territory. Westerman and Lawler dragged the Fords closer to the line, but Huddersfield’s defence stood firm.

The Tigers found themselves down to 12 men after Jake Trueman was shown a yellow card for pulling back McQueen who was chasing a dangerous grubber kick forward. Huddersfield took the opportunity to go for the posts and Pryce was on hand to slot the penalty.

Cas’ second half momentum was added to as referee James Child showed the Giants another yellow, this time to McGillvary for a late hit on O’Brien. The visitors then made it three tries unanswered with a beautiful move ending in O’Brien passing wide to Eden for the winger to skid over by the corner post. O’Brien did incredibly well to convert from right on the whitewash to level the game at 18 apiece and complete the comeback.

This Tigers attacking spell was too much for the Huddersfield defence to handle and moments later, it was that man Eden again who provided the magic. Cas’ #23 stepped and got on the outside of his man down the left and provided the perfect pass to Trueman for the halfback to notch his brace and send the travelling crowd into raptures. O’Brien made no mistake to add the two points and give his side a 18-24 lead with 20 minutes remaining.

Just two minutes later it was Castleford’s turn to be shown another yellow as Lawler was penalised following a poor tackle. Huddersfield took advantage of that decision and attacked the left edge for Leutele to score. Pryce converted from out wide to level the contest and set up a frantic final 15 minutes.

The momentum of the game had switched to favour the Giants as they retook the lead after a six again call near the line gave them a solid attacking base. The hosts saw they had numbers on the left and shifted the play to Leutele who crossed for his second of the day. Pryce’s kick was good again from the touchline for the Giants to take a 30-24 lead in the closing stages.