Huddersfield (22) 40 Tries: B Hodgson, Kirmond, Moore, Lunt 2, Korkidas, Finnigan Goals: B Hodgson 6 Celtic Crusaders (0) 16 Tries: Beasley, Blackwood, Tangata-Toa Goals: Quinn 2
 Danny Kirmond scored the Giants' second try |
Huddersfield opened the second day of matches at Murrayfield with a leisurely win over lowly Celtic Crusaders. The Giants ran in seven tries in inflicting the 11th straight defeat of the Welsh side's Super League debut. Substitute hooker Shaun Lunt crossed twice as the Nathan Brown's side moved to within two points of leaders St Helens at the top. Late tries from Anthony Blackwood and David Tangato-Toa were little solace for the club rooted at the other end. After the Saints' defeat by Wigan on Saturday, Huddersfield never looked like squandering the chance to close the gap with a win over a forlorn Crusaders side.  | 606: DEBATE |
It took just four minutes for them to make their mark on the scoreboard as skipper Brett Hodgson went over after clever play from Scott Moore. Moore, on a season-long loan from St Helens, was again instrumental as he created the second for second-rower Danny Kirmond before skirting over himself with a darting run. The Crusaders could not muster much by way in response but were unfortunate to see Josh Hannay's pass only find full-back Hodgson's hands with Luke Dyer poised on the outside. Lunt's first try came just before the half-time hooter after Kevin Brown's strong running opened up the Crusaders' defence. His front-row partner Michael Korkidas joined in after the interval with a bullocking run through some tired tryline tacklers to make it 28-0. After seeing the video referee rule out a score by winger Paul Ballard, the Crusaders finally registered through Chris Beasley. But substitute Simon Finnigan's try and Brett Hodgson's sixth successful goal from seven attempts restored the gap soon after. Blackwood converted an overlap before Tangato-Toa barged over, but it was too little, too late.
Huddersfield coach Nathan Brown: "We didn't do a bad job but we need to rediscover where we were a few weeks ago. But we came here looking for a win and now we can push on. "All sides are going to have a flat period. We're probably having a little bit of a lull but we're always going to be happy to get a win." Crusaders coach John Dixon: "When you are trying and working really hard morale is not an issue too much. As a club we have just got to be tough and embrace the challenges that are ahead of us. "The scoreline got away from us today but there was no lack of enthusiasm for the task. "We'd have hoped by now we would have got to the pace of what's happening but we are still a step away. "Having said that, it was encouraging to see us compete that strongly and play for 80 minutes."
Huddersfield: B. Hodgson, Lawrence, Lolesi, Whaturia, D. Hodgson, Brown, Robinson, Mason, Moore, Korkidas, Kirmond, Wild, Faiumu. Replacements: Lunt, Jackson, Crabtree, Finnigan. Celtic Crusaders: Blackwood, Dyer, Hannay, Dalle Cort, Ballard, Quinn, Van Dijk, O'Hara, Withers, J. James, Chan, Beasley, Lupton. Replacements: Budworth, Tangata-Toa, A. James, Bryant. Referee: B Thaler (Wakefield).
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