Huddersfield (6) 18
Tries: B Hodgson, Moore, Kirmond Goals: B Hodgson 3

Bradford (24) 28
Tries: Platt, Nero 2, Sykes Goals: Deacon 6

Chris Nero scored twice against his former club as Bradford humbled Challenge Cup finalists Huddersfield.

The Giants claimed the lead when Brett Hodgson went over but the Bulls ran in four quickfire tries to take control.

Nero scored two of them with Michael Platt and Paul Sykes also going over as the visitors led 24-6 at the break.

Tries for Scott Moore and Danny Kirmond reduced the deficit after the interval but Bradford held firm, although their play-off hopes are all but over.

Huddersfield coach Nathan Brown:

"The things that helped the Giants to Wembley and to sit in third place, we just clearly didn't have in the first half.

"We tried our best to guard against that attitude side of the game but effort in the first half clearly wasn't acceptable.

"We asked for a response in the second half and we got a good one, but you cannot give away big starts like that.

"Bradford played some good footy, they came up with some nice plays and scored some nice tries.

"You need to give them credit but I think we saw, when we muscled up and decided to put in the required effort, things fell in our favour."

Bradford coach Steve McNamara:

"It is completely out of our hands, but we have just got to keep trying to win games.

"But I'm really pleased for the group, I feel we are starting to get a little bit of the reward we've deserved throughout the season.

"It was a good performance from us, the first and second halves were different in terms of the quality shown, but we got the job done."

Huddersfield: B. Hodgson, Cudjoe, Lolesi, Whaturia, D. Hodgson, Brown, Robinson, Crabtree, Moore, Mason, Fulton, Wild, Kirmond. Replacements: Faiumu, D. Griffin, Sculthorpe, Aspinwall.

Bradford: Halley, Sheriffe, Platt, Nero, Tadulala, Sykes, Deacon, Scruton, Godwin, Lynch, Morrison, Langley, Menzies. Replacements: Cook, Kopczak, Burgess, Donaldson.

Referee: P Bentham (Warrington).

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