Super League leaders St Helens survived a fightback from Huddersfield to go two points clear of Leeds.

Stuart Jones gave the hosts an early lead but Saints led 18-6 at the break as Keiron Cunningham, Willie Talau and Kyle Eastmond scored converted tries.

Two tries from Paul Whatuira saw the Giants cut the lead to just two points.

But tries from Chris Flannery, Dean McGilvray and Eastmond, plus Eastmond's boot, saw Saints home despite Danny Kirmond's consolation try.

Huddersfield caretaker coach Paul Anderson:
"We were poor. The manner of our performance was not great.

"We allowed outside influences in the game affect our decision-making in the first half and you can't give Saints 18 points start in a game, regardless of who is in their team, because they have still got some quality."

St Helens coach Daniel Anderson:
"Kyle Eastmond played well and I'm really happy for him. He was easily the best player on the field."

Huddersfield: Hodgson, Aspinwall, Brown, Whaturia, Elford, Thorman, Robinson, Crabtree, Hudson, Mason, Jones, Lolesi, Wild. Replacements: Griffin, Raleigh, Kirmond, Faiumu.

St Helens: Eastmond, Gardner, Gilmour, Talau, McGilvray, Wheeler, Long, Fozzard, Cunningham, Cayless, Flannery, Sculthorpe, Hargreaves. Replacements: Meli, Graham, Clough, Thompson.