Tigers lose away at Huddersfield

It was a tough night for the Tigers in sub-zero conditions at the John Smiths Stadium as they fell to a 36 – 6 defeat to Huddersfield Giants. Only George Lawler could go over for the only Castleford Try of the evening. 

The Tigers were under pressure in the opening stage phase. Giants centre Jake Bibby broke through but a fantastic tackle from Broadbent, who played in the full back role, brought him down. A kick from Fages was dealt with by Qareqare but gave the hosts another set from the scrum within 10 metres. Huddersfield threw left to right, but Lolohea’s pass was forward, and Cas held strong. 

The Tigers were sprung into life 7 minutes in. Gareth Widdop with a successful 40/20 got the tails wagging and the Fords in range. Miller looked to go over but was held up and given a six again. Up stepped George Lawler who met a pass from Miller and barged over for the first score of the game. Widdop added the extras and Cas led 6-0 after 10 minutes. 

5 minutes later, the hosts were level. WIll Pryce with a darting run went close but was held up by three Tigers defenders. A quick play the ball left Peats to give a simple ball to McQueen who crashes over from inches out. 

For the first time in the game, the hosts took the lead courtesy of the boot of Russell. A penalty against Cas for offside 30 metres out and they opted for two. Russell on target to give the Giants a 2-point lead on 25 minutes. 

A high bomb from Russell was knocked forward by Cudjoe, but the referee gave the knock on against Qareqare. From the resulting scrum, a neat pre-planned set play to the right left Pryce with a gap and he scored 9 minutes before the interval. 

It got worse for Cas. After another high ball the ball went to ground and was once again given as a knock on in favour of Huddersfield. Luke Yates tried to crash over but was held up, and a lighting quick play the ball from Peats found Bibby. He ran onto it at pace and grounded. Russell on this occasion, failed to add the extras. However, off the next set, Edwards was judged to have tackled high on McQueen and Russell got a second chance to add the two. He did, and the Tigers went in at the break 20-6 down. 

It took Huddersfield just over 3 minutes to find the first points of the second half. Fonua’s attempted offload failed to find his target of Adam Milner and went to ground, gifting possession to Huddersfield. A dummy from McQueen sold Eden and he went in for the first four pointer of the second period. 

The Giants thought they’d scored again trough Pryce. After a dancing run and a backward step he found the line. However after a great tackle from Widdop, Pryce dropped the ball over the line and the video referee confirmed it. 

Huddersfield extended their lead further not long after. A break through down the left from Cudjoe gave him room to drive. His kick inside bounced into the hands of Lolohea who grounds to the left of the upright. 

Cudjoe was in this time. A swift move left to right found the Giants winger with Broadbent to beat. Running straight at the young utility back, Cudjoe sent him backwards and created the gap for himself to score. 

Jason Qareqare prevented more points after a kick through from Lolohea towards the posts looked as though Fages was going to ground. Qareqare batted behind. A late hit from Watts gave the Giants the chance to wrap up the game with a kick on the hooter. Russell despatched for the fianal points of the game. 

FULL TIME: Huddersfield Giants 36 - 6 

Teams: 

Huddersfield Giants: Lolohea, Golding, Bibby, Marsters, Cudjoe, Russell, Fages, Hill, Peats, Wilson, Jones, McQueen, Yates 

Interchanges: Greenwood, Ashworth, English, Pryce 

18th Man: Livett 

Castleford Tigers: Broadbent, Eden, Sutcliffe, Fonua, Qareqare, Widdop, Miller, Matagi, Lawler, Massey, Mellor, Edwards, Westerman 

Interchanges: Milner, Watts, Smith, Mustapha 

18th Man: Vete  

Scorers:  

Huddersfield Giants: 

Tries: McQueen 2, Pryce, Bibby, Cudjoe 

Goals: Russell 3/6 

Penalty Goals: Russell 3/3 

Castleford Tigers: 

Tries: Lawler 

Goals: Widdop 1/1