Giants tame Wildcats
Huddersfield moved up into third place in the Super League after a hard-fought 30-14 derby success over Wakefield.
Last Updated: 05/07/09 5:52pm
Huddersfield secured a hard-fought 30-14 derby success over Wakefield to move into third place in the Super League.
Despite largely dominating the first-half, the Giants could only take a 12-4 lead into the interval after Scott Grix crossed on the half-hour mark in reply to early tries from hooker Scott Moore and loose forward David Faiumu.
The Wildcats then moved within two points of the Giants 11 minutes after the break with a converted try from Tony Martin.
As they began to dominate, the visitors then had a try from wing Matt Petersen disallowed before Faiumu crossed again in the 59th minute to put the Giants 18-10 ahead and give them breathing space.
The home team put the result beyond doubt in the 69th minute when wing David Hodgson scored, although Wakefield again refused to lie down and hit back through Petersen.
But the Giants had the final say when Liam Fulton waltzed through a static defence to claim his side's fifth try.
Early try
The home side led in the fourth minute at a sun-drenched Galpharm Stadium following a fine run from Australian full-back Brett Hodgson which took him close to the line.
Moore followed up to burrow over from close range and Brett Hodgson added the first of his five goals.
Huddersfield continued to attack with aggression and no little skill, although Wakefield had a fleeting opportunity to cross the whitewash in the 10th minute when Ryan Atkins found Petersen and he was tackled into touch by Hodgson.
With England prop Eorl Crabtree again prominent for Huddersfield, the momentum remained largely with the hosts and they doubled their lead in the 13th minute when Faiumu went over from close range.
Brett Hodgson added the conversion with ease but Wakefield hit back on the half-hour mark when Danny Brough found Jason Demetriou to his right and he sent Grix diving over in the right corner.
Huddersfield had a try disallowed on the stroke of half-time when replacement Lee Mossop touched down but was penalised for obstruction.
Improved markedly
Wakefield improved markedly after the restart and stand-off Martin went over in the 51st minute for a try which Brough converted to bring the scores to 12-10.
Moments later Petersen touched down in the left corner but referee Phil Bentham disallowed the score and Huddersfield breathed again.
Shortly before the hour mark, the Wildcats could not stop Faiumu plunging over the line from close range and Brett Hodgson added his third conversion to give the Giants a handy lead at 18-10.
With 11 minutes remaining Huddersfield claimed their fourth try when Michael Lawrence was afforded the space to send David Hodgson in at the left corner and Brett Hodgson again converted.
Wakefield refused to surrender and hit back with six minutes remaining when Petersen dived over in the left corner.
Yet Brough could not convert and Fulton added a fifth for the Giants with two minutes remaining when he burst clear and Brett Hodgson added his fifth conversion to cap a fine day for the Giants.
